What happened to my acan?!?

talon4x4 · Nov 3, 2008

I believe it has/had some sort of disease which killed 5 polyps. It spread pretty quickly and turned the skeleton pink. Below is the piece I fragged off of the main colony. Some have recommended interceptor treatment, I'll see if the vet can give me some. Hopefully the rest of the colony will be ok.

Anyone know what caused this and is it something that can spread to my other LPS??

paintballer768 · Nov 3, 2008

This just happened to my micro frag, curious what could cause it as well.

Fish n' Frags · Nov 3, 2008

I've only witnessed pink skeleton on new shipments but i haven't been able to find any sort of treatment that can save them once this happens. The only way i've been able to save colonies is to cut back 2 or 3 rows into the good heads and pray. Sorry to hear about this, just wish i knew how to stop it.

Saltysteele · Nov 3, 2008

Wow! That's enough to strike fear into all of us acan owners!!

jasonstan · Nov 4, 2008

had it happen to two acans, and one blasto. Same thing to all three, the tissue began to retract/melt away. And the skeleton turned all pink. The three frags were all right next to each other, so after it became apparent they were goners, I chucked all three into the trash, haven't had an issue since.

paintballer768 · Nov 4, 2008

With my micromussa, the tissue receeded to where it was just skeleton, and then now its the same color as what the heads were...a maroonish color. Its just skeleton now, I wonder if anyone else has had a cure for it?

Interceptor isnt an option, I love my cleaner shrimp too much haha. Had him for a whole year

oceanparadise1 · Nov 4, 2008

thats no good talon, which one was that?

Hypertek99 · Nov 4, 2008

My friend had the same problem. His acan started to receed and the skeleton turned pink on him. Here is a pic

He gave it to me to keep for him. It's been in my tank for over a month already and it's all puffy and healthy. No receeding. Are you guys sure it's a bacterial infection?? I can still see a little skeleton where is haven't healed over it yet and it's still pink.

Saltysteele · Nov 4, 2008

oh, wow! so, they can be saved, it's just a matter of fingering out what is happening

Pitcom · Nov 4, 2008

I just had a large frag of prism favia do the same exact thing. It died over night and the skeleton turned pink.

Hypertek99 · Nov 5, 2008

I have no idea what i did to save it?? I did do a TMPCC dip when he gave it to me. I have been feeding it 1-2 times a week.

talon4x4 · Nov 5, 2008

Hypertek99 said:
I did do a TMPCC dip when he gave it to me.

TMPCC = Iodine??

Doesn't matter, I got rid of the acan. Even after cutting off the big chunck of skeleton I saw more pink yesterday. Don't want to take the chance of it spreading to anything else. Thank god it wasn't an expensive piece!!

Hypertek99 · Nov 5, 2008

Yep Tropic Marin Pro Coral Cure= Tmpcc is an iodine dip. I have the acan in a tank right beside micros with no problem. I'll keep a close eye on it and see if the micros have pink skeleton. Hmm are you guys running a skimmer?? My tank is set up for LPS and i don't run a skimmer so my water is ideal for them.

JuniorMC8704 · Nov 5, 2008

Well for what its worth, i run a AP702 (rated for 540 gallons +) on about 120 gallons right now, and all my acans look fantastic.

I dont think they really benefit from more nutrient rick water like palys. Just my opinion, but its what I have noticed over the last couple years.

talon4x4 · Nov 5, 2008

I do run a skimmer, a CSS220 on a 55gal. tank. All the LPS, softies, zoas, mushrooms look great and have great growth. I even have a couple SPS that are doing well. I do have an acan that seems to be losing color, very clear looking. Then I have another acan that is doing just great.