Shrinking Polyps - Is there a way to reverse the problem?

[Stray32]

I have a sizable collection of Zs and Ps, and lately, some of my large, lower end colonies have simply started to melt away. Some of my others have shrunken, shriveled polyps, I am sure you guys have seen them before. The polyps close up and kinda taken on an "hourglass" shape. When this happens, I have tried moving to more/less flow or more/less light, but they have seemed to recover from this.

1. Is there is a reason this is happening?

2. Is there a way to reverse this and get them healthy again? ie Furan dip perhaps?

 

[Cuda]

I have had this happen too. I 'm thinking maybe warmer water or a seasonal thing? I have also had growth spurts the other way for no noticable reason?
It seems it only effects certain kinds though.

John

 

[fsu1dolfan]

I have had this happen too. I 'm thinking maybe warmer water or a seasonal thing? I have also had growth spurts the other way for no noticable reason?
It seems it only effects certain kinds though.

John

Yeah i have noticed some of mine do the same thing...then come back strong. Occasionally if it is a frag i will do an Lugols iodine dip and that tends to stop the reduction if i catch it soon enough.

 

[ZoaCollector]

Lugols sometimes works. But I think it might be a combo of things.

It could be a filamentous algae choking it out. And then some pods coming over to finish it. Accompanied by a secondary infection which destroys it. Which is why lugols helps. Kills the pods and heals the wounds.

I usually start to run phoslock and throw on a UV light to help kill off any pathogens algaes and excess bacteria.

 

[drainbamage]

Real easy thing to check is iodide levels in your tank- my entire frag tank had tiny/closed up polyps, didn't test just added iodide and they've opened back up. May be more serious, but worth checking

 

[gar732]

This has happened to me as well and usually starts to improve after a water change. If its real bad I'll do a couple water changes.