Ultra Lobo in Trouble?

[PapaBeepBeep]

I recently moved my Ultra Lobo from a nano tank to my RSR 425. It’s been there about 4 days and is sitting on the sand bed in a low flow area. Parameters are all stable. I’ve noticed there are white tips all around the edges and assume this is necrosis. Am I correct, and if so, is there anything that can be done to save the animal? Thank you for any advice.

 

[Ling_Thing]

Not good, could it be starving? You feed any meaty foods to it lately? What par is it feeding? Params?

 

[Mikedawg]

Yes, the skeleton is "showing through" because some tissue has receded. I would be patient and it may well grow back out. Assume new water parameters are same as in your nano.

 

[PapaBeepBeep]

Not good, could it be starving? You feed any meaty foods to it lately? What par is it feeding? Params?

Hi, thanks. I fed it mysis on Friday. Params are SG 1.026, Calc 440, Alk .03, pH 8.0, Ammonia, Nitrate, Nitrite all 0. Don’t have a Mag test kit. Temp is 77.6 and the salt is Reef Crystals. Just did a water change Saturday and do one every week. Make my own RO/DI with BRS five stage unit and TDS is zero. All other LPS in tank are thriving and this is at least six inches from nearest coral. Have another brain sitting on the sand Ed around the corner of the rock and he’s doing well.

 

[PapaBeepBeep]

Yes, the skeleton is "showing through" because some tissue has receded. I would be patient and it may well grow back out. Assume new water parameters are same as in your nano.

Precisely the same thanks. I did a coral dip in Revive before placing it in the reefer as a step to prevent anything untoward transferring over, I can’t imagine that would have affected him, would it?

 

[Mikedawg]

Precisely the same thanks. I did a coral dip in Revive before placing it in the reefer as a step to prevent anything untoward transferring over, I can’t imagine that would have affected him, would it?

I wouldn't think that was a problem. Handling a lobo, changing conditions, etc. can make it recede for awhile.
Not sure what your alk reading is from above and I would raise nitrate a little. I'm not a big fan of 0 nutrients for lobos.

 

[Ling_Thing]

Sounds like it’s starving from no nutrients. Believe it or not if you keep detectable n03 and p04 the lps will take it in within the water column and you won’t have to target feed every few days. I suggest dosing some n03 first and see how it reacts.

 

[Mikedawg]

Interesting that all other lps are thriving in 0 nitrates; do you have faith in your test kits? I would try feeding more before adding chemicals and testing regularly to identify changes in nitrate and phosphate, if any.

 

[Ling_Thing]

Interesting that all other lps are thriving in 0 nitrates; do you have faith in your test kits? I would try feeding more before adding chemicals and testing regularly to identify changes in nitrate and phosphate, if any.

I’m a wicked stick head so I’m all over my n03 and p04. I actually found some lps to do just fine with zero nutrients but the real fleshy lps like lobo and trachy need dirty water imo. My acropora prefer even dirtier water than my lps do.

 

[Mikedawg]

Yeah, lobos, symphyllia and trachys seem to do better when water is somewhat "dirty". That and some Fauna Marin LPS Grow and Color………..

 

[PapaBeepBeep]

Thank you everyone for your replies. I just loaded up the refugium with pods and will target feed the lobo every couple of days and see how he does. I’ve only moved a couple of fish into this tank from the nano, so will hurry that along and I’m sure it will help “dirty” the water. As to the test kits - they are Hanna Checkers, Salifert, and Red Sea.