?? Something Eating into surface of Acropor's Base???

[scardall]

This area of my Acro looks like it's been eaten away to a depth of 1/32-1/16" deep. I have 2 good crabs among the branches. They have been there for over 6 months. This attach happened a week ago.
I have many other SPS near by unaffected. I would dip, but that would kill the crabs I have. suggestions Please??
have 2 of these for 6 months(example pic only)

 

[scardall]

at bottom left corner of pic. Could this be the villian?

 

[Jgomez324]

Look up *AEFW* Acro Eating Flatworm.

 

[NeverlosT]

I see no bite marks, I dont think it is AEFW (flat worms) I think that you have a viral infection. Dipping in Revive or an iodine based dip might help, but would kill your crab I think.

 

[scardall]

I thought I may hold affected area in dip only and rinse twice the same way. I have Coral RX. Could this help as well as Revive?? @NeverlosT

 

[TUSI]

I'm interested in your finding cause I did get that once and still don't know what caused it. I thought cause of flow and light. It eventually healed and gre back

 

[scardall]

I'm interested in your finding cause I did get that once and still don't know what caused it. I thought cause of flow and light. It eventually healed and gre back

I hope so. I have had this coral for 1+ years too. For the moment I'll see what people are saying and watch closely.

 

[TUSI]

If you were to dip it, take a tooth pick and take the crab out in a bucket first then after the dip put the coral in the bucket near the crab and he will go back on it. I have done it many times

 

[scardall]

http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/scutus

Could this scotus snail cause the damage to my coral?

 

[scardall]

bump

 

[Rickyrooz]

Have you seen this guy in the tank?

 

[Russ265]

im with @NeverlosT on this one. could be a viral or bacterial infection. if a bayer dip doesnt drop anything then fragging may save the colony.

ive had this happen once before and it wiped out every tenuis in my tank. everything else remained unharmed.

 

[scardall]

Have you seen this guy in the tank?

I have not seen this crab to the left.

These are the only crab, I have and they are in this colony only. No other acro or coral has been touch. This damage hasn't healed. yet. some times it does. 2 weeks ago a small area in addition has appeared. Maybe I'll dip after I figure out how to remove these crabs.

 

[Robink]

I have same thing going on with a bonsai. Have dipped it in coral rx twice and no change. Only coral with that going on... Mine started in the middle of the coral and slowly spread.
Following.

 

[Triggreef]

Before you do anything just keep an eye on it. To me it looks like it simply began to receed but has stopped. It doesn't look like is currently getting worse, it actually looks like that part is beginning to grow back. If you look at the edge it's is smooth and white indicating growth. If it were still receding, it might be flaking off or decay looking. Like off color around the edge and spotty, I can't really explain. But I've definitely seen it happen enough that it just looks like recession that has stopped in its tracks for whatever reason. The cause at this point would be pretty impossible to figure out.

 

[Triggreef]

And just to add, it may have been perfectly healthy and caused only by even a piece of coral slime passing by. Even like maybe a zoa that detached and floated by it, or a frogspawn letting a tip go as they sometimes do. Even a pocci doing a polyp bailout and the polyp came in contact with that spot. Many possible causes doesn't look like parasite action to me.

 

[Kungpaoshizi]

Grind up some food and keep the water dirty. Deal with the no3/po4 after it starts to heal.

 

[scardall]

Update photo's of this damage and new one (2 weeks old)
Pics/original damage (2-top ) Today (5/16) coral rotated for picture Newest damage appeared 2 weeks ago (coral rotated for pic)

(All coral damage happens/starts on the right side of coral) Started on rt. side of coral. Light from above and to the left of coral and it's damaged area.

 

[Russ265]

if it was "my" coral, id take out my dremmel and cut a 1/4 away from the dead tissue all the way around.

id get 3% peroxide and a rag and (carefully) dab the infected area and clean it out.

then id watch for a couple days. if it came back, id try to frag it off entirely and take my losses.

...of course im a bit more extreme.

 

[arman]

Arent these crabs living in acros good?