The Incredible Shrinking Ricordea

[Sekhmet]

I was wondering if anyone has an idea about what's going on with my little guy. Every couple of days I'll notice that it ...deflates (?) then maybe twenty minutes later it puffs back up to normal. Took these pictures last night. The other one does seem to do that unless I'm just missing it which is possible. I'm a newbie and these two are my first corals so naturally I worry about them. With that in mind, I've come to the experts for help. Thanks in advance.

 

[Glenner’sreef]

It looks like you’ve got them “lower” in the tank. That’s a good thing. They don’t demand a lot of light. Flow needs to be mod-low as well. I’ve found that leaving them be is a good way for them to adjust. Good luck. Great corals!

 

[Chrisv.]

Normal for them to deflate from time to time. I agree with leaving them and not moving them around much, but they can take pretty high flow and light if acclimated properly. I once saw one in the wild at 12 feet in full sun on a reef crest. It's certainly possible to shock them with too much light too quickly, but I'm not sure if we have lights comparable to 12 feet of tropical mid day sun in our hobby.

 

[Glenner’sreef]

Normal for them to deflate from time to time. I agree with leaving them and not moving them around much, but they can take pretty high flow and light if acclimated properly. I once saw one in the wild at 12 feet in full sun on a reef crest. It's certainly possible to shock them with too much light too quickly, but I'm not sure if we have lights comparable to 12 feet of tropical mid day sun in our hobby.

Agreed, mine just seemed to do better in quieter areas of the tank.

 

[Chrisv.]

Agreed, mine just seemed to do better in quieter areas of the tank.

Once they get going they really are fantastic corals! They don't grow too fast and spread to nuisance proportions (looking at you, Yuma). Bright color. Interesting texture. Pretty cheap. What's not to love!?

 

[My lil Booger's tank]

I have had one going on three months. as well as it was my first coral. in the time i have kept mine it has done a lil bit of it all. Best advice i was given when I was freaking out about mine was let it do its thing so long as it is not bleaching. Best of luck.

 

[Les Poissons]

Totally normal in my experience. I have about 10 in my tank and individuals will shrink down for a little while from time to time while their neighbors are fully open and happy. I’ve noticed this particularly happens after they poop ! Mine are all growing well despite this seemingly random shrinking behavior.