Long and Skinny Toadstool

fresco194 · May 16, 2020

I've had this toadstool for about a year and a half and it pretty much looks the same aside from about an inch longer. It's about 4" long and the head is about 1 1/2" diameter. Can someone advise? Also if someone can ID exactly what kind of leather toadstool this is. Thanks.

36 Gallon Bowfront
Reef Octopus HOB 1000 Skimmer
Current USA Orbit Marine IC Pro Loop
Marineland Canister Filter
Salinity: 1.026
Temp: 78
Cal: 464
Alk: 9.2
Mag: 1520
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 4.0
Phosphate: .04

andrewey · May 16, 2020

Based on the growth patterns, how much light/flow is it getting in it's current position? I've seen a few elongate like that when they were trying to get more light/more flow. They grow in a variety of flows/lighting, but you might want to try playing with it's location. In addition, they tend to like higher nitrate levels. You might get better growth with slightly higher nitrate/phosphate, however this might not be ideal based on your other corals or preferences. I get explosive from toadstools with 20 nitrates and .1-.2 phosphate, but in my mixed reefs where I have parameters closer to yours, they tend to grow slower.

fresco194 · May 16, 2020

Yes that is what I am aiming for is a mixed reef. I have no sps yet but my softies and lps seem to be ok but not really growing very fast but they are growing. I have some zoas for almost 2 years that didn't start to spread until a month ago. For flow I have 2 eFlux 1050 Wave Pumps at 30% which actually make the toadstool sway a little. For phosphates I though .04 was al little high and am working to lower a little to at least .02. I was expecting my toadstool to be x2 - x3 bigger by now.

andrewey · May 16, 2020

I wouldn't lower that phosphate to be honest. There's really no need at that level with that livestock. I would run an experiemnt if the toadstool is able to be moved and move it closer to the front of the tank.

Proteus Meep · May 16, 2020

Not helpful but i couldn't resist....

andrewey · May 16, 2020

What is your nitrate level at?

fresco194 · May 16, 2020

andrewey said:
What is your nitrate level at?

4.0

andrewey · May 16, 2020

Yeah, my guess beyond lighting is that you're parameters aren't dirty enough for the leather. They can survive a wide range of parameters, but in my experience, they grow fastest/best with dirty water (nitrates >5-10, phophate >0.07. I wouldn't necessarily chase these parameters if the rest of your coral is doing well just for this guy, but it likely explains the stunted growth. I would try moving it near the other corals for the light/flow and wouldn't worry about changing anything if those parameters are working for you.

jeffchapok · May 16, 2020

My phosphates/nitrates consistently run .5/50 and my toadstools couldn't be happier. Softies love 'dirty' water.

This one is even making babies.

fresco194 · May 16, 2020

I feed coral frenzy powder and pellets once week. Maybe try x2 a week to help with nitrates. I'm having a little bit of GHA, cyano and I think diatoms at the moment so rasing phosphates kind of scares me. Thanks for the help by the way guys.

danieyella · May 16, 2020

For what it's worth, I had 1 toadstool in this exact situation, and 3 other leathers doing spectacular. I moved it to see if I'd get a better response and my clowns managed to pick it up and drop it somewhere and it completely disappeared. It looked very similar to yours but a shorter stem, never once grew in the year I had it - but would open up happily regularly. Everything else grew great.