Looking for help w/my Sinularia

[Wasabiroot]

Hi R2R,

About 2 months ago my neon green sinularia, which was doing well, suddenly began acting as though it was shedding. I didn't get too concerned as it's normal behavior for it to do so from time to time.
I can't pinpoint exactly what the issue is as I have another sinularia that's doing very well in the same lighting and growing. My suspicion is that the raise in lighting to around 70% schedule intensity is a contributing factor, but from what I've read it should have adapted by now as I haven't moved it higher.
Parameters are as follows
Alk 9.2
Calc 430
Mag 1320
Nitrates 50 (bringing these down, had a faulty test kit)
Phosphates .13
Sal 1.026

The one doing well (with the aiptasia photobomb)

The green currently.

It did extend some polyps about a week ago but that never seems to last. I haven't messed with the flow in several months.

I do have some emerald crabs and peppermint, but I spend a fair amount of time observing at night and haven't seen any predation. Is that a possibility?
I also noticed some black on the stalk - could it have an infection? If so, are there advisable treatments for Leathers?

Thanks

 

[Wasabiroot]

Bump

 

[kingoftheHiLLpeople]

Is the flow different between the two?

 

[Wasabiroot]

No - they're both by nero 3s running the same schedule

 

[kingoftheHiLLpeople]

No - they're both by nero 3s running the same schedule

Hmmm…

 

[Wasabiroot]

Right? I'm a bit stumped. I do see some algal growth on the exterior. I considered gently brushing it with a soft toothbrush but they're supposed to be able to slough that stuff off naturally. I can't rule out infection but my knowledge of soft coral disease is pretty limited

 

[kingoftheHiLLpeople]

I may just toothbrush it or turkey baster it. Is there anything around it that could be bothering it? Maybe @Mibu has an idea.

 

[Wasabiroot]

I have peppermints and red/green emeralds so it's definitely possible that something is picking at it. I had actually planned on trapping my peppermints and moving to sump anyways. They haven't gone after the remaining aiptasia and I'm starting to suspect they are irritating a lot when I'm not looking. I'm unfamiliar if peppermints go after sinularia though

 

[Goaway]

What lights are you using? Also, FTS is possible.

I have peppermints and red/green emeralds so it's definitely possible that something is picking at it. I had actually planned on trapping my peppermints and moving to sump anyways. They haven't gone after the remaining aiptasia and I'm starting to suspect they are irritating a lot when I'm not looking. I'm unfamiliar if peppermints go after sinularia though

Is the coral a frag of the other colony? Was it ever injured at any time?

 

[Wasabiroot]

What lights are you using? Also, FTS is possible.

Is the coral a frag of the other colony? Was it ever injured at any time?

What lights are you using? Also, FTS is possible.

Is the coral a frag of the other colony? Was it ever injured at any time?

No, it was purchased from a local reefer. Was doing well for a year or so but hasn't been thriving in the last month or two.
I'm using an XR15 blue at 70% schedule intensity.


Idk why it's double quoted. R2r derps out sometimes

 

[Goaway]

No, it was purchased from a local reefer. Was doing well but hasn't been thriving in the last month or two.
I'm using an XR15 blue at 70% schedule intensity.

Try to offer it some shade and see how it reacts. Whenever I get a coral that closes and refuses to open, but everyone else is well and not being nipped at, I put them in a shaded area. I can't see why that frag would be targeted, while others were left alone before you got it.

 

[Wasabiroot]

Gave it a gentle scrub with a toothbrush. Took off the black stuff and put it under a shaded ledge. Notably, some weird "powder" type stuff came off the exterior, which I assume is the wax. Will update as I see anything. Thanks all.

 

[-XENOMORPH-]

Did it recover?

 

[Wasabiroot]

It's stayed pretty small, but it's still around. Not quite sure what is causing it but I moved it to a low light area. It's not dying. I'm wondering if it had some kind of infection.

 

[Daniel92481]

Before you consider it a lost cause I would try to dip it and see if anything falls off.

 

[Wasabiroot]

Before you consider it a lost cause I would try to dip it and see if anything falls off.

I tried an extended Lugol's bath and that seemed to halt the recession, but it hasn't gotten any bigger. I suspect it may be a lighting/flow issue. The issues started right around the time I began ramping up my Radion and didn't improve with the light bar I added. It is also on the opposite side as before. I may experiment with putting it in a high flow area to see how it responds.