Problem with my Umbrella Leather...Please help!

Pisquini · Mar 14, 2012

Ok guys here is my problem. I have my umbrella leather for around 3 months now. It has always done very well, it was even hosting my clowns happily.

Last thursday I decided to frag a piece off of it and see if in my sump I could make another for a friend of mine. So on Thursday I had noticed that it hadn't extended it's polylops and thought this would be a great time to snip a piece off, so I did. After I snipped it off my leather had curled up a bit and I figured this was natural since I had just cut it. Well it is almost a week later and it still hasn't but out its extenders and has shrunk quite a bit. I looked this up and it might be going threw a "molt".

What I am asking is....did I kill it cause I fragged it while it was "molting". It will still curl up if I touch it and it seems the place I cut it is healing. The frag which I cut again to make 2. They have their polylops extended and seem to be doing well.

All my stats are perfect on my tank, I just checked yesterday!

Here are some pictures I took today. Any help would be great.

capt85 · Mar 14, 2012

It looks like it is molting to me but I am no expert.

Maybe someone else will chime in.

fsu1dolfan · Mar 14, 2012

I had a kenya Tree do the same thing with me. I know it isnt the same but i heard leathers tend to do this from time to time. My also closed up for a few days for no reason and then it came back with a vengenace. Practically doubling in size. Give it a couple of days and it should be fine! Here's an article about it...it's called Sloughing Why and How Leather Corals Shed

Pisquini · Mar 14, 2012

Well tomorrow will be a full week it is like that!...Anyone know if you can hurt a leather if you frag it while it is molting?

Reloadeddevil · Mar 14, 2012

Your leathers is probably ok. They are very hardy, its just going through a stress phase because by looking at it, i can tell its in dormant condition. Unless you start to see dark brown skin then might have to dip it in revive or lugols other than that just leave it alone. Should be okay in one more week.

Pisquini · Mar 14, 2012

ReLoad...Did it hurt it when I cut it while it was Molting ya think?

Pisquini · Mar 14, 2012

Also does anyone know how long it will take for my Mushroom Leather frags to attach to the LR i have it sitting on in my sump....ty

Reloadeddevil · Mar 14, 2012

Pisquini said:
ReLoad...Did it hurt it when I cut it while it was Molting ya think?

Since you had it in ur system for 3 months, i would not think so, at least give one glance a day and notice any other changes. Looking at the pic, i think its in pretty good shape, but again these things are like machines you just dont know when they can break down for no obvious reason at all. Dont feed it or dont treat it and dont move it. Make sure its in the same place that its been there for 3 months. Also keep sifting the sand off of it with turkey baster, because when they are in dormant phase they tend to not move much and therefor keep getting irritated by the sand.

Pisquini · Mar 14, 2012

ok ty ReLoad...I will clean it off when i get home from work tonight..and leave it be and see what happens...do you know how long it will take for the frags to attach to the LR I sat them on in my sump?

Reloadeddevil · Mar 14, 2012

It takes about a week time to have some sort of attachment. When i fragged mine i just used a rubberband and it does the trick.

Pisquini · Mar 14, 2012

There is no movement in my Sump...it should attach without being rubberbanded? Right?

Reloadeddevil · Mar 14, 2012

Def. its just i was in a hurry so i used the rubberband.

Pisquini · Mar 14, 2012

Ok cool..ty so much for all your help.

Reloadeddevil · Mar 15, 2012

No problem at all. Keep us up to date on the condition.

Pisquini · Mar 15, 2012

No change on my Leather but came home last night....to find out I am the proud new owner of a "bouncing baby rose bubbletip anenome" LOL My rose bubbletip split last night! Can anything else be going on in my tank this week! HAHA!