Sarcophyton sick?

SJ Blane · Mar 1, 2019

Toadstool developed this white patch a couple of days ago. Polyps are still extending, even in the affected area. Pulled it out and performed a coral rx dip. All other corals in my 240g. appear normal.
Parameters: Alk: 9.3, pH: 8.2, Cal.:430, Nitrate:0, Phosphate:0.
Necrosis? Is fragging required at this point? Any suggestions on further care would be greatly appreciated!

Flippers4pups · Mar 1, 2019

SJ Blane said:
Toadstool developed this white patch a couple of days ago. Polyps are still extending, even in the affected area. Pulled it out and performed a coral rx dip. All other corals in my 240g. appear normal.
Parameters: Alk: 9.3, pH: 8.2, Cal.:430, Nitrate:0, Phosphate:0.
Necrosis? Is fragging required at this point? Any suggestions on further care would be greatly appreciated!

Typically when one gets necrosis, it's grey or turns black. I'd watch it closely for awhile and see what it does.

I'd say it may have a bacterial issue in that spot. This may resolve itself with time.

Off issue, leathers do like higher N03 and P04 than zero, as do most other types of corals. N03 at 5-10 ppm and P04 at trace 0.02 is a good place to be.

andrewkw · Mar 1, 2019

It looks like it just wants to drop a frag. I would say with 99% certainty that is not an infection.

SJ Blane · Mar 1, 2019

Thank you for the great input! I'll just keep an eye on it and go from there.

Flippers4pups · Mar 1, 2019

SJ Blane said:
Thank you for the great input! I'll just keep an eye on it and go from there.

Your welcome. Good luck with it. Ive had toadstools for a decade now, they are a favorite of mine.

Rocks reef · Mar 2, 2019

Agree with Andrew, probably going to drop a frag for you. I have numerous leathers in my tank, the biggest is a neon green leather that is about 14" across. Ironically, this is the only one that hasn't dropped a frag and I refuse to frag it. I've had it since it was baseball size.

Rocks reef · Mar 2, 2019

Rocks reef said:
Agree with Andrew, probably going to drop a frag for you. I have numerous leathers in my tank, the biggest is a neon green leather that is about 14" across. Ironically, this is the only one that hasn't dropped a frag and I refuse to frag it. I've had it since it was baseball size.

This is my 90g (36x24x24), its pretty closed up in that pic and its easily 1/3 of the tank length.

andrewkw · Mar 2, 2019

I wish I could get mine that big. About every 2-3 weeks mine develop holes and drop frags.

Also SJ Blane don't be surprised if they stay closed for days or even weeks occasionally. These guys are super tough but sometimes act unhappy when in fact they are just shedding or propagating.

SJ Blane · Mar 2, 2019

Great pics! I believe that toadstool leathers are so underappreciated. It was one of the first corals I kept a decade ago and through many coral fads that have come and gone it's still one of my all-time favorites.

Rocks reef · Mar 2, 2019

Andrew, you ever sell those frags?

andrewkw · Mar 2, 2019

Rocks reef said:
Andrew, you ever sell those frags?

I am located in the middle of no where so rarely. I just hoard them. I am 90% sure I've even had them spawn as I have collected a few babies from strange spots that were just a couple of polyps. Eventually I'll bring them to a store which I have done in the past.