Leather coral time bomb?

[Lineatus]

My favourite sarcophyton has unfortunately lost a battle between two neighbouring leather corals and looks like it’s on its way out. Its ‘stem’ is deflated and shrivelled whilst its ‘caps’ has two big wounds and is slightly slimy to the touch. Unfortunately I was away on a week long holiday so wasn’t able to intervene sooner. I can’t move the coral without chiselling it off the rockwork, which I’m not desperate to do unless that is my only solution. Could I cut the base of the stem and reposition it that way? Or does the coral look like a goner and should I just remove it?

 

[exnisstech]

Sorry no help here. I didn't know leathers could damage each other. I've had several different types touching through the years. Guess I've been lucky

 

[HudsonReefer2.0]

Not an expert but that seems necrotic. Id remove it. Cut away any dead tissue, give it a nice lugols solution dip after and let it settle in a new spot. Worked for me w my Palau that went necrotic years ago. Saved it and a few fellow reefers have it in their banks.

 

[HudsonReefer2.0]

Let it settle w some rubble in a basket and it should reattach to a base for easy placement later when healed.

 

[Lineatus]

Let it settle w some rubble in a basket and it should reattach to a base for easy placement later when healed.

Let it settle w some rubble in a basket and it should reattach to a base for easy placement later when healed.

Ok perfect thank you, should I try cut the whole of the base off? Will any tissue I leave die off? I can’t access Lugsol solution for maybe a week as nowhere sells it locally do you think the coral can wait that long, or should I take action immediately without the solution?

And finally, do you think the tissue necrosis was caused by my other leathers? They’ve all hit a growth spurt recently, so the sarco was being touched by a sinularia, Kenya tree and a colt. Should I try avoid future contact if the leather survives?

Sorry for all the questions, thanks so much for the help

 

[crazyfishmom]

A dip in iodine solution (does not have to be lugols) will work and you can easily find it at the drug store. Just make sure you dilute it in tank water. If you cut it from the base there’s a possibility the base will grow back. It also looks like it’s ready to shed and just unable to. Maybe it doesn’t get good flow where it is anymore because you’ve had so much growth with other corals around it. I would recommend acting now before you do lose it. Remove it from where it is and brush the necrotic tissue off (I’ve done this before with one that looked just like yours) and then dipped it in an iodine solution. Put it back in your tank in a different spot with good flow and it should be back to its former glory within a few days. Mine shed about 3 days after the relocation and looks amazing again.

 

[HudsonReefer2.0]

I know hindsite is 20/20 but it’s good pratice to have certain elements like iodine for dips and the occasional drop especially for a softy system. Helps them. Don’t go crazy. Can easily overdose a system. Tuff to test. Why people recommend iodide. But the lugols is good for dips.

 

[Lineatus]

I know hindsite is 20/20 but it’s good pratice to have certain elements like iodine for dips and the occasional drop especially for a softy system. Helps them. Don’t go crazy. Can easily overdose a system. Tuff to test. Why people recommend iodide. But the lugols is good for dips.

Learning that lesson right now unfortunately . Despite living in a big city, I can’t track any down. I’ve ordered some online but it won’t arrive for 3-4 days. I’m considering cutting the base of the coral and moving it to an area of high flow. Will this prove to be more detrimental due to me lacking iodine? Should I just risk waiting the 3 days?

 

[HudsonReefer2.0]

Learning that lesson right now unfortunately . Despite living in a big city, I can’t track any down. I’ve ordered some online but it won’t arrive for 3-4 days. I’m considering cutting the base of the coral and moving it to an area of high flow. Will this prove to be more detrimental due to me lacking iodine? Should I just risk waiting the 3 days?

Hi. Don’t think so . U can remove it and clean it up and then dip it later. I wouldn’t worry. We all are learning and sarco can b forgiving.

 

[Lineatus]

Thanks for the help everyone! Got him dipped and cleaned up today, it’s looking a lot better now all the necrotic flesh has been removed. Ignore the Jack glass, in the process of DIYing a mesh box.

 

[HudsonReefer2.0]

I heard of vodka dosing, but whiskey, lol. Great stuff!!!