Sun coral help

[Keith Hill]

Hello all.

I have a sun coral and it was doing great but resently it has not been opening. The polyps are not sunken in anymore but bubbling out. I am not sure if this is good or bad or what caused it.
Any help would be appreciated.

Sorry about the pic I was in a hurry to get to work and work has been so crazy I haven't had time to clean the glass this week

 

[domination2580]

Have you been feeding at night?

 

[Keith Hill]

Evening. I just don't know why they are bubbled. It seems like it's impeding the tentacles

 

[domination2580]

Evening. I just don't know why they are bubbled. It seems like it's impeding the tentacles

I'm not quite sure on this one. @reefsquad. Maybe they can help out with this.

 

[Tahoe61]

Check your water chemistry. Check for pest such as Nudibranch.

If able please get a better image.

What are feeding and how are you feeding?

 

[Keith Hill]

I am feeding it mysis and I usually just feed it with a syringe but last night I tried the bottle method. I could tell it sensed the food and tried to open but didn't. As far as water last week I was
Ca450
Alk 8.5
Mg 1300
Phosphates .08 ppm
Nitrates <4ppm

I will get a better image tonight. As I said this week all I ha e been able to do is feed.

Thanks for the help guys.

 

[Macdaddynick1]

if you fed it a night or two ago with a lot of food then they physically can't close all the way as the food will restrict them from closing all the way , and they might not open for a few days because they do no need to feed. at least thats what my dendro's do . Unless your parameters or temperature are off (these guys like cooler water i think) , I would give them few more days.

 

[Tahoe61]

You have to allow the coral a chance to open up and show a feeding response.
Try the bottle method again, only introduce a small amount of food, wait for a feeding response and feed remainder. Try the method a couple times a week to train the coral.

 

[Keith Hill]

Sorry I didn't explain I waited for 10 min for it to open but I will keep trying. Thanks for the help all of u

 

[GatorGuys]

It appears there might be sand on the coral... I know that sun corals do not like getting sand on them. Do you have a goby or something that may be spitting sand on the corals? I had some close up due to sand getting on them - they too swelled up like you show (I assume to 'expel' the sand) and they recovered a few days later.

In nature, these corals are commonly found underneath ledges or even growing sideways on rock faces - I wonder if perhaps the location reduces the potential for irritating sand from getting on them.

 

[Keith Hill]

It appears there might be sand on the coral... I know that sun corals do not like getting sand on them. Do you have a goby or something that may be spitting sand on the corals? I had some close up due to sand getting on them - they too swelled up like you show (I assume to 'expel' the sand) and they recovered a few days later.

In nature, these corals are commonly found underneath ledges or even growing sideways on rock faces - I wonder if perhaps the location reduces the potential for irritating sand from getting on them.

I have a a sand sifting star and a few other animals that could be puttin sand on it. I will move the coral to a different location and go from there