Open brain coral problems

[Rmonson]

I have had this open brain coral for quite a while and it only inflates at night and is deflated during the day all water parameters are good and my light is a 6 bulb aquaticlife t5. I have moved it all over the sand bed and it still is the same. I also have a mp40 for flow on a 65 gallon reef. Any have any idea why this could be.

 

[YVR]

What are your water parameters? Have you tried feeding it at night when it is inflated? I believe open brains do well with weekly feedings of mysis shrimp etc.

 

[Connie]

Try putting the top half of a 2 liter bottle over it and gently squirt Mysis on top of it. It may take a few minutes, but it should eat. The bottle will keep the Mysis from washing away and keep the fish away.

 

[Rmonson]

Ammonia-0, nitrite-0, nitrate-<5, ph-8.1, ca-480, don't have a phosphate test kit. I have fed it at night but I have not fed it mysis I fed it brine a few times I usually don't feed my corals.

 

[Connie]

In my experience, all brain coral love to eat! I feed them chopped table shrimp every week or so.

 

[Rmonson]

Awesome I'll try feeding it more often and see if that makes it look better. Thanks for the advise!

 

[Connie]

Keep us posted!

 

[Rmonson]

I fed it 2 days ago after you told me that might help and it ate the mysis but it still looks the same should I try feeding it at night when the feeder tentacles are out?

 

[Connie]

just keep feeding it regularly. Absolutely, if you are up when its feeders are out, feed it. It will take a while to see the difference, but in a few weeks you should see it getting more plump and healthy.

 

[Rmonson]

Alright I'll give it a try

 

[mike007]

If it is inflating at night it could be a lighting issue. You may try moving to where coral is in a shaded area of tank not receiving direct lighting and see how it responds.

 

[Rmonson]

That makes sense I'll do that tomorrow when my lights are back on

 

[Rmonson]

I moved it under a ledge out of the light and it is slowly improving and starting to expand more every day

 

[Connie]

That's great news!

 

[YHSublime]

Check magnesium levels as well, sometimes an issue. Glad it's doing better. Flow can also make it cranky.