How long does it take for a torch to open up?

Haleyscales00167 · Mar 19, 2020

I just got this purple torch in the mail yesterday. Got him acclimated and set him in the tank. But he isn’t opened up yet. How long does it normal take for them to open up? I’ve got several other torches that opened up within a couple hours of putting them in the tank. This new torch though is not happy whatsoever. All the other corals I got in the same package as the torch is doing wonderful. Just not him.

Passedyouby · Mar 19, 2020

Going through the mail is a scary thing for those guys!

give him some time! Make sure you're not bombarding with too much light for the first couple days.

Keep us posted! Good luck

Reefer40b · Mar 19, 2020

It doesn't look like a very healthy specimen to begin with... I see no tissue growth on that skeleton.. probably was a fresh imported torch they sent you.

Haleyscales00167 · Mar 19, 2020

Reefer40b said:
It doesn't look like a very healthy specimen to begin with... I see no tissue growth on that skeleton.. probably was a fresh imported torch they sent you.

Here is a pic I just took this morning. It is not a very happy torch at all. And all my other torches I got from them opened within a couple hours after getting them in the tank. So I’m super confused why this one just isn’t happy.
And possibly dying.

Reefer40b · Mar 19, 2020

Haleyscales00167 said:
Here is a pic I just took this morning. It is not a very happy torch at all. And all my other torches I got from them opened within a couple hours after getting them in the tank. So I’m super confused why this one just isn’t happy.
And possibly dying.

It looks like it will be gone in a matter of a day or a few days. I would contact where it was purchased and request a credit. That torch was knowingly sent unhealthy, I'm glad that the others you have recieved are healthy and happy. Good luck!

DarthSimon · Mar 19, 2020

Don't give up on that just yet. Dip the coral in iodine or furan, and let sit for a week. I't can come back. It doesn't look totally gone yet.

Leadfooted · Mar 19, 2020

Nothing you could have done from what I see. How cold was the bag, looks a bit chilly?

Leadfooted · Mar 19, 2020

DarthSimon said:
Don't give up on that just yet. Dip the coral in iodine or furan, and let sit for a week. I't can come back. It doesn't look totally gone yet.

well.... maybe there's hope lol

DarthSimon · Mar 19, 2020

Also just to add, some torches open up right away. Others take days to weeks to fully open.

NowGlazeIT · Mar 19, 2020

Don’t be discouraged. I see torches are becoming difficult for you to get established. I don’t think it is anything that you are doing wrong. I think the mailing is the culprit. A couple thing to look for in the future; are there heat packs in the box they came in?, measure the water temperature soon as they arrive, did the seller wrap styrofoam to the hard skeleton to keep the head suspended in the bag,(this keeps the spiked skeleton from knocking around and cutting itself.

Marlon C · Mar 19, 2020

That torch looks done for. Be careful incase it starts to jelly

PotomacReef · Mar 19, 2020

A few comments:

Whatever you do don't dip it in anything right now, this is very stressful on coral.
Put it in a moderate flow area under little to no light. Don't move it too much, the impulse to move it and fix it...take it out of the tank just further stresses it.
Definitely contact the place you purchased it from to let them know what the issue is and see if they have any advice. You definitely want to let them know ASAP so that you have documented that you have had this problem since it arrived.

Haleyscales00167 · Mar 19, 2020

NowGlazeIT said:
Don’t be discouraged. I see torches are becoming difficult for you to get established. I don’t think it is anything that you are doing wrong. I think the mailing is the culprit. A couple thing to look for in the future; are there heat packs in the box they came in?, measure the water temperature soon as they arrive, did the seller wrap styrofoam to the hard skeleton to keep the head suspended in the bag,(this keeps the spiked skeleton from knocking around and cutting itself.

The heat packs were in the package and it was suspended with a styrofoam piece attached to the plug it is glued on. I think the culprit is that it got to hot on the way here because everything seemed pretty hot when I opened the package.

NowGlazeIT · Mar 19, 2020

Haleyscales00167 said:
The heat packs were in the package and it was suspended with a styrofoam piece attached to the plug it is glued on. I think the culprit is that it got to hot on the way here because everything seemed pretty hot when I opened the package.

Darn that could be it. They are more sensitive then some other lps I have. When mine came in too cold, I only lost the torches. Octo spawns, blastos and trachyphillia made it unscathed

Haleyscales00167 · Mar 19, 2020

NowGlazeIT said:
Darn that could be it. They are more sensitive then some other lps I have. When mine came in too cold, I only lost the torches. Octo spawns, blastos and trachyphillia made it unscathed

Yeah all my other corals that were in the same package opened up almost tight away and doing great just my torch is not doing to great.

rogersb · Mar 19, 2020

Reefer40b said:
It doesn't look like a very healthy specimen to begin with... I see no tissue growth on that skeleton.. probably was a fresh imported torch they sent you.

First thing I saw was the lack of tissue on the skeleton as well. Euphyllia should have tissue on the stem if it's healthy. I would keep it in low light and low flow.

svogun · Mar 19, 2020

Just give it time. Low light low flow. It may come around. If your CUC or fish start nipping at it that's a sign its a goner.

reefsaver · Apr 12, 2021

Haleyscales00167 said:
I just got this purple torch in the mail yesterday. Got him acclimated and set him in the tank. But he isn’t opened up yet. How long does it normal take for them to open up? I’ve got several other torches that opened up within a couple hours of putting them in the tank. This new torch though is not happy whatsoever. All the other corals I got in the same package as the torch is doing wonderful. Just not him.

I think it depends on a few things, he may have been grown under blue light his whole life, and your white light is totally alien to him. It should adjust to the new light in time I've heard. I bought a Green Tipped Torch today in store and I'm totally new to the hobby. I'm time lapsing the Torch right now. I gave it a quick bacterial/parasite dip alongside a Neon Green Fungia Plate Coral for about 15 min and I totally forgot to acclimate them both. I put them straight in after rinsing them in some saltwater I took from my tank to get rid of any leftover dip. Within an hour my Green Tipped Torch has extended maybe half way. I was so surprised this happened after seeing it takes people up to 3 weeks to see the Torches which I was willing to wait for. Idk if I'm just lucky or what to be honest. Hopefully a good sign my tank has been going okay. I have a couple brown algae spots so I figured if algae is starting to grow then there should be nutrients present for corals to suck up too. Day one of my first ever 2 corals today. I'm 32 days into owning my first marine fish an Ocellaris Clown and first filled the tank with seawater from the ocean to cycle it fast maybe 2 weeks prior to purchasing the clown. I also do not own an RODI filter and have been mixing salt mix with unfiltered Tank water.