Rough flesh on acros?

[Sierra_Bravo]

I've noticed a few acro frags developing a rough, bumpy, flesh. Is this unusual and if so, what might be the cause? I'm only seeing it on two torts and a shortcake. I'll post parameters below the pics.

ALK 8.0
Ca 430
Mg 1360
PO4 .034
NO3 .25
NH3 0
NO2 0
pH 8.14
SAL 1.025
Temp 79

 

[Macdaddynick1]

Ive noticed this on some acros before too. May be it has something to do with the flow or inability to form a skeleton properly due to the fact that these Corals aren’t actively growing like they’re suppose to.

 

[Reefer40b]

edit: sorry just saw that your mag was only 1360. I have seen this with high mag but since yours is good im not too sure

 

[Sierra_Bravo]

edit: sorry just saw that your mag was only 1360. I have seen this with high mag but since yours is good im not too sure

I'll retest it and double-check. Thanks.

 

[drawman]

I have the same thing going on. Unfortunately the bubbling has been pretty severe on several of my acros and many of them STNd over a very long period of time. I can't say anyone has nailed down a true culprit but I would keep things stable.

 

[Sierra_Bravo]

Retested Mg this morning and I'm at 1500, which is a large discrepency from last week. I have not dosed MG in three weeks, at which point it was low at 1285. I did a 10% water change last night which would not have affected it much. I'll retest again in the morning. I use Red Sea for myMg test and it does seem to give squirelly results on occasion if you are not being very precise in the execution.

 

[drawman]

Retested Mg this morning and I'm at 1500, which is a large discrepency from last week. I have not dosed MG in three weeks, at which point it was low at 1285. I did a 10% water change last night which would not have affected it much. I'll retest again in the morning. I use Red Sea for myMg test and it does seem to give squirelly results on occasion if you are not being very precise in the execution.

Yeah I can't say I was very impressed with Red Sea for Mag. That said, if it is truly that high you will need big water changes to make a significant change. You may be better off to let it come down naturally (and with regular 10% changes).

 

[jda]

I have seen biologists before say that this is a bacterial infection. I do not think that there was any kind of cure. I tried digging through WWM articles for a few minutes and could not find what I was looking for, but I am nearly positive that I saw it there - sorry. Is the bumpy area soft or does it have aragonite structure just below it?

 

[Sierra_Bravo]

I have seen biologists before say that this is a bacterial infection. I do not think that there was any kind of cure. I tried digging through WWM articles for a few minutes and could not find what I was looking for, but I am nearly positive that I saw it there - sorry. Is the bumpy area soft or does it have aragonite structure just below it?

Bacterial infection was definitely not what I wanted to hear. . . I have not physically touched it to know but I'll check tonight. If you find time to dig up that article I'd be in your debt. Let me know.

 

[drawman]

I have seen biologists before say that this is a bacterial infection. I do not think that there was any kind of cure. I tried digging through WWM articles for a few minutes and could not find what I was looking for, but I am nearly positive that I saw it there - sorry. Is the bumpy area soft or does it have aragonite structure just below it?

I've heard others mention that hypothesis as well not sure where they got it from. To me the acros appear less healthy but don't seem to die from it (or at least quickly). I've had them STN after many months, however.

 

[Sierra_Bravo]

Found this discussion on the other forum. I'm at work and can't review in detail but it seems to be a similar issue. Posting to read tonight:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2481844

 

[Mattrg02]

Mine bubbled up once. All died after a month or two.

I’m going with bacteria infection.

 

[jda]

I am almost positive that I got it from Dr. Ron. If so, then it is probably legit.

Acros that STN after several months are not healthy. Healthy acropora grow very quickly and do not have STN issues.

 

[Sierra_Bravo]

I am almost positive that I got it from Dr. Ron. If so, then it is probably legit.

Acros that STN after several months are not healthy. Healthy acropora grow very quickly and do not have STN issues.

Fortunately, I have not had any STN issues. The corals in question all have encrusted and grown since the beginning of the year. For instance, that shortcake was mounted to the rock only four months ago:

 

[Sierra_Bravo]

#reefsquad

Any other thoughts or input on this odd problem?

 

[Diesel]

You have crabs in your tank?

 

[Sierra_Bravo]

You have crabs in your tank?

Yes, i still occasionally see a few leftover hitchikers, likely gorilla and possibly a stone crab, as well as a several porcelain.

 

[Diesel]

Crabs can munch on your acros, that might explain the rough skin.
I never ever had crabs in my tank, never did see the benefit of it.
Pods clean twice as fast

 

[Cjeippert]

I've noticed a few acro frags developing a rough, bumpy, flesh. Is this unusual and if so, what might be the cause? I'm only seeing it on two torts and a shortcake. I'll post parameters below the pics.

ALK 8.0
Ca 430
Mg 1360
PO4 .034
NO3 .25
NH3 0
NO2 0
pH 8.14
SAL 1.025
Temp 79

I got the same bumps on my ora oregon tort. I use 4 ml of nopox carbon dosing per day on a 175 gallon. Coral is growing and bumps continue after 8 months plus. Alk is 7-8.

 

[sculpin01]

There's some indication that tissue abnormalities of this sort may be related to a bacterial issue. It may be worth considering stopping carbon dosing to see if that is contributing.