Questions about my first coral purchase with pics

[Jriv86]

Hi guys! So I've had my 29 gal set up for about 4 months now a couple clowns and a dotty and some snails. That's it in terms of stocking. Clowns have already had babies and ate said babies so I know my tank is running good. So I finally decided to buy my first coral. It's just from petco nothing special I don't even know what kind it is. Yesterday when I got it it was smooth surface . Now today it has these little dots coming in and this translucent film going around it. Is this good is this bad? Should I do anything? I'm new with corals I've done research for months now but just wanna make sure it's good you know. Here are some pics. You can see the film it kind sways with the water current idk if I should remove the film around it or not

 

[Jriv86]

Hi guys! So I've had my 29 gal set up for about 4 months now a couple clowns and a dotty and some snails. That's it in terms of stocking. Clowns have already had babies and ate said babies so I know my tank is running good. So I finally decided to buy my first coral. It's just from petco nothing special I don't even know what kind it is. Yesterday when I got it it was smooth surface . Now today it has these little dots coming in and this translucent film going around it. Is this good is this bad? Should I do anything? I'm new with corals I've done research for months now but just wanna make sure it's good you know. Here are some pics. You can see the film it kind sways with the water current idk if I should remove the film around it or not

I will also say it's already grown since yesterday that branch to the left was non-existent yesterday.

 

[hds4216]

It kinda it looks like an SPS, but tbh I don't think it's doing very well if that's what it is. It's really hard to tell what it is and it appears browned out. It kind of has the shape of Stylophora but I can't tell for sure.

It may also be a leather/finger coral or something. If that's the case, the color is no problem. Is it hard when you touch it? Or more soft?

 

[Jriv86]

It's definitely an SPS, but tbh I don't think it's doing very well. It's really hard to tell what it is and it appears browned out. It kind of has the shape of Stylophora but I can't tell for sure.

My camera isn't picking up the lighting right it's a pinkish purple hue idk if my lighta make it look browner on the camera or what

 

[hds4216]

My camera isn't picking up the lighting right it's a pinkish purple hue idk if my lighta make it look browner on the camera or what

It may also be a leather/finger coral or something. Is it hard when you touch it? Or more soft?

 

[Stuartmercer]

At first sight, it looks like an SPS coral, however, based on the fact you said it already "grew" another branch, makes me believe it's some sort of softy, as they can change their body shape quite easily when stressed. And if it is an SPS, you probably just didn't notice the other branch. Corals do not grow that fast.

 

[Jriv86]

At first sight, it looks like an SPS coral, however, based on the fact you said it already "grew" another branch, makes me believe it's some sort of softy. as they can change their body shape quite easily when stressed. And if it is an SPS, you probably just didn't notice the other branch. Corals do not grow th

At first sight, it looks like an SPS coral, however, based on the fact you said it already "grew" another branch, makes me believe it's some sort of softy, as they can change their body shape quite easily when stressed. And if it is an SPS, you probably just didn't notice the other branch. Corals do not grow that fast.

It's soft for sure.

 

[Stuartmercer]

It's soft for sure.

Then its some sort of leather softy. Probably a toadstool based on the appearance.

 

[Jriv86]

Then its some sort of leather softy. Probably a toadstool based on the appearance.

I also added these to my tank yester when I put it in. First time using them. I used as directed. I wonder if that was to much for it?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Take a turkey baster and give it gentle bursts to loosen/remove mucus film which does occur. Increase the water flow a little as this is a sure sign of lack of water flow pressure although they do this during a shed also

 

[Adamantium]

I also added these to my tank yester when I put it in. First time using them. I used as directed. I wonder if that was to much for it?

Did you test your levels before/after dosing these?

 

[vetteguy53081]

I also added these to my tank yester when I put it in. First time using them. I used as directed. I wonder if that was to much for it?

I would in the future Not add any chemicals during acclimation and introduction

 

[Stuartmercer]

I also added these to my tank yester when I put it in. First time using them. I used as directed. I wonder if that was to much for it?

do you test? If you don't test DO NOT dose anything. Especially since it's your first coral, you should not dose a thing. It just continues to raise the levels in the water to levels way higher than they should, and because its a softy, dosing this stuff is also completely unnecessary. They simply don't take these things in fast enough.

 

[lolmatt]

Hard to tell without seeing the polyps, but my guess is a devils hand leather Lobophytum sp. but it could also be some other sort of leather.

Not a bad first coral at all. Most leathers (other than kenya tree) will stay in one place. They are easy to trim and frag (cut w/ scissors, attach to rubble with sewing needle + thin fishing line). Very forgiving with most parameter swings and do well with clean and dirty water.

 

[Jriv86]

I would in the future Not add any chemicals during acclimation and introduction

Ok thank you for the help. Any idea about the dots around it? Yesterday when I bought it was smooth as can be. I'm hoping it's just shedding and changing because it has actual good lighting unlike the shade it was sitting in at petco.

 

[Stuartmercer]

Ok thank you for the help. Any idea about the dots around it? Yesterday when I bought it was smooth as can be. I'm hoping it's just shedding and changing because it has actual good lighting unlike the shade it was sitting in at petco.

those are its polyps which are retracted. If its a leather, and with the knowledge, it came from Petco, won't be fully open for a few days. You should see those dots (called polyps) come out more since it is some sort of leather. Also, I know there are some good petcos with people that actually care, but I would avoid them for your next coral purchases.

 

[Rincon_Reefer]

Looks like a finger leather to me. The film is totally normal, don't worry it'll go away in a few days. Leathers do that when stressed and sometimes just for fun. Also don't be surprised if it flops over or changes shape some and expands/contracts. It is part of the film shedding process. Good choice for a first coral.

 

[Jriv86]

those are its polyps which are retracted. If its a leather, and with the knowledge, it came from Petco, won't be fully open for a few days. You should see those dots (called polyps) come out more since it is some sort of leather. Also, I know there are some good petcos with people that actually care, but I would avoid them for your next coral purchases.

I agree with not going there. But my thought process was I don't wanna spend hundreds of dollars if I'm not sure my tank is ready for coral or not . So I went with a cheap one to see if my tank is ready.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Ok thank you for the help. Any idea about the dots around it? Yesterday when I bought it was smooth as can be. I'm hoping it's just shedding and changing because it has actual good lighting unlike the shade it was sitting in at petco.

Polyps which are normal and a good sign

 

[vetteguy53081]

Ok thank you for the help. Any idea about the dots around it? Yesterday when I bought it was smooth as can be. I'm hoping it's just shedding and changing because it has actual good lighting unlike the shade it was sitting in at petco.

They require only moderate light and water flow
Salinity 1.024-1.025
temp 77-79
ph 8.1-8.3
nitrate < .04
phos < .04