Torch coral issue

rgaleana2009 · Feb 22, 2017

Hello team, wondering if you can help me. I have a torch coral wich was happy and extended complety the first week. Now he is retracted i dont know what is wrong with him or my tank. My water patameters are: amonia and nitrites 0 , nitrates 5, phosphates .03, ph 8.2, kh 8, Cal 420 Mg 1300 SG 1.024 temp 25.5 c

This behavior started 1 day ago. Also y have a bta, zoas and a candy coral which are very healthy.

Any idea?

Highgrade · Feb 22, 2017

Did lighting or flow change? Also any signs of brown jelly/slime?

rgaleana2009 · Feb 22, 2017

Hello Highgrade, no lights/flow changes

or brown jelly/slime.

Oakie12 · Feb 22, 2017

I had 3 torches that retracted like yours then melted away within 2 days. All my parameters were good andno other changes happened in my tank. Also no other corals were affected.

Roy 9121 · Feb 22, 2017

Have you dosed mag. or PH lately?

Highgrade · Feb 22, 2017

rgaleana2009 said:
Hello Highgrade, no lights/flow changes or brown jelly/slime.

You noted a week ago. So you recently added the torch. If so it may not be happy where it currently resides. Try different areas of the tank. I've had similar issues with torches and it was a matter of placement due to lighting and flow.

rgaleana2009 · Feb 22, 2017

Roy 9121 said:
Have you dosed mag. or PH lately?

No additions

rgaleana2009 · Feb 22, 2017

Highgrade said:
You noted a week ago. So you recently added the torch. If so it may not be happy where it currently resides. Try different areas of the tank. I've had similar issues with torches and it was a matter of placement due to lighting and flow.

Correct it was happy for a week

i Will try to relocate it. I just took another pic and it seems its base is growing a little.

reeferfoxx · Feb 22, 2017

rgaleana2009 said:
Correct it was happy for a week i Will try to relocate it. I just took another pic and it seems its base is growing a little.

If it were one head when purchased, It now looks like it's trying to split into two heads. Retraction is common when heads are splitting.

rgaleana2009 · Feb 22, 2017

Oh!!!! That would be awesome. I will wait and let you know the outcome on this

. If this is happening how long will take? Do i need to feed it during this process?

Keenan · Feb 22, 2017

Sometimes it can take a while to show it's unhappy. So it may never have been happy since being in your tank. I would recommend starting it out on the sand bed with lower flow for a few weeks, then work your way up to the desired spot.

Also, sometimes some corals just don't do well in certain peoples tanks. I am able to keep everything from mushrooms to sps happy. Even frogspawn/hammers. Yet I can't keep torches alive for more than a couple weeks. Have yet to pinpoint the issue myself.

reeferfoxx · Feb 22, 2017

rgaleana2009 said:
Oh!!!! That would be awesome. I will wait and let you know the outcome on this . If this is happening how long will take? Do i need to feed it during this process?

Nope. Just let it do it's thing. Can take upwards of 2-3 weeks before a definite split appears.

Roy 9121 · Feb 22, 2017

reeferfoxx said:
If it were one head when purchased, It now looks like it's trying to split into two heads. Retraction is common when heads are splitting.

Do torch corals split? I didn't know that. I've never had a torch, but i have frogspawn. The just sprout a new head.

reeferfoxx · Feb 22, 2017

Roy 9121 said:
Do torch corals split? I didn't know that. I've never had a torch, but i have frogspawn. The just sprout a new head.

All euphyllia split heads. Sometimes the skeleton can sprout new polyps, as well. Not to say this particular instance was stressful but that is the case for euphyllia.

Roy 9121 · Feb 22, 2017

reeferfoxx said:
All euphyllia split heads. Sometimes the skeleton can sprout new polyps, as well. Not to say this particular instance was stressful but that is the case for euphyllia.

See there, you can learn something new everyday. Thanks.

reeferfoxx · Feb 22, 2017

Roy 9121 said:
See there, you can learn something new everyday. Thanks.

Yeah I was being vague. My mind was rushing me that moment. Stressful situations such as new tank or parameter swings for euphyllia, can spark a head splitting. If high flow were killing the coral, you would see the skeleton underneath the polyp being exposed with the tissue separating. In those cases it's safe to move the coral to a low flow area for recovery. Otherwise polyp retention can be cause from acclimation, head splitting, or too much flow. The shape of the OP's picture suggests a new head being formed. I wouldn't worry too much.