War Coral in trouble

[thegunslinger]

I bought a war coral at Petco almost a month ago. It was in bad shape when I got it, but I was able to get him to plump and color up. The below pics are the night I bought him, and about 2 weeks after:

This coral had been doing a lot better, but not sure what is going on right now. Yesterday I did a little test on homemade food for my fish (cod, shrimp, octopus, silverside, mysis), who didn't really care for it. I did get a strong response from this guy and a new candy cane frag, with both extending tentacles. I decided to target feed them their usual concoction, which is reef nutrition arctic pods and Kent zooplankton. This is what it looks like this morning:

Not sure if this had anything to do with the feeding, will check both nitrate and phosphate when I get home. I'm at work and my wife sent me that pic. Any help would be appreciated, as this guy has come a long way and I'd hate to lose him.

 

[shornik]

My war coral does not like a lot of strong light. It's hard to tell from your pics if they are placed where they would be getting too much or not but its something to consider.

 

[thegunslinger]

He's been in the same spot since I got him, about 2 inches off the sand. Whatever happened was literally overnight, maybe over the course of 12 hours.

 

[thegunslinger]

I don't know if it matters, but I have a decorator crab and 3 hermit crabs (2 red and 1 blue).

 

[Tahoe61]

Check Alk swings and values, feed the coral and it's not a coral that needs the most extreme lighting that most modern fixtures offer.

So I would start with testing chemistry, start a weekly feeding program, and if indicated move the coral to an area of less intense lighting.

You're sure no fish is nipping at the coral?

 

[thegunslinger]

Check Alk swings and values, feed the coral and it's not a coral that needs the most extreme lighting that most modern fixtures offer.

So I would start with testing chemistry, start a weekly feeding program, and if indicated move the coral to an area of less intense lighting.

You're sure no fish is nipping at the coral?

I've been feeding twice weekly the above-mentioned mix, just fed off-cycle yesterday because his tentacles were out and I figured why not.
I don't think the lighting is the problem, but I'll try that next. I have a 2 bulb 48" fixture (one white, one actinic), and the tank is a standard 55 gal. He's been in the same spot and has made a pretty good improvement since I got him, so I don't know if the lights would have become a problem, especially since the problem took place overnight.
As far as fish, I don't have a lot right now. I have a royal gramma, yellow tail damsel, and an occelaris, and from what I've read they shouldn't be a problem. After the original post I was thinking that maybe one of the crabs might have gone and messed with him since he had food on him.
I didn't test when I did my water change this weekend, but I was planning to check phosphate and nitrate when I get home. I'll add alk to that. Thanks for the help.

 

[thegunslinger]

Whatever the issue is, it hasn't spread, so that's the good news. Parameters tonight are as follows:
NO3: .5 ppm
PO4: .5 ppm
Alk: 11
Ca: 420 ppm
Nothing out of the ordinary, except for PO4 being a little higher than normal. I'm leaning towards crab, but not sure.

 

[stunreefer Verified Sponsor]

After the original post I was thinking that maybe one of the crabs might have gone and messed with him since he had food on him.

Highly suspect. Particularly since it happened "overnight".

CUC's can do more harm than good IME. I wouldn't worry about spot feeding it anymore. They do just fine photosynthesizing and catching particulate matter out of the water column.

 

[thegunslinger]

Highly suspect. Particularly since it happened "overnight".

CUC's can do more harm than good IME. I wouldn't worry about spot feeding it anymore. They do just fine photosynthesizing and catching particulate matter out of the water column.

I tried the homemade mix again and the fish went for it this time, so I'm leaning towards feeding DIY fulltime and reducing flake foods. This ought to negate the need for target feeding.
I'll check my decorator when he comes out and see if he has any new garments, lol.