Whats Happening to My Hammer?

[Nigel35]

Couple Questions

1) Noticed this today on one of the heads of a hammer.

2) I have had issues with this coral for a little while now. I Had had brown jelly disease on a few heads. I fragged and treated them watching for further signs of disease. 1 or 2 heads were lost but the others seemed to be doing well. Is this from to much flow or what? This keeps showing up on heads every so often and It takes them out one by one... Any help greatly appreciated. I am almost wanting to give the coral away because this keeps happening, I have lost to many heads this way and am really tired of it....

 

[tsouth]

Honestly it looks like something is getting a nice meal every night. Have you had a chance to come out at night, a few hours after lights are out and shine a light on the hammer to see if something is eating it?

 

[Nigel35]

never checked that before. I only have a clown pair, a yellow tang, flame angel, and CUC. Are you thinking pests or other critters?

 

[tsouth]

Yes indeedy. Also, don't think that flame angel is outta the woods just yet Keep an eye on it.

 

[Nigel35]

Will do!

 

[Nigel35]

What kind of critters should I be looking for in particular? Do you think that brown jelly disease is off the table or no?

 

[Pntbll687]

Definitely second on the opinion that something is eating that coral!

Was there a head at the spot at any time? Seems odd that it's picking at the calcified part and not at the polyps

 

[tsouth]

BJD affects corals differently - not like this from what I've seen. BJD will turn your lps into mush and wipe out colonies, not just singular heads.

This literally looks like something is eating into it

 

[Nigel35]

There wasn't a head if I remember correctly.

 

[vetteguy53081]

What is your PH, ALK and Calcium levels

 

[Nigel35]

Ph is at 8.3, Alk 9, Ca 400

 

[Nigel35]

Those were checked last week

 

[Nigel35]

here is another doozy: I'm pretty sure the Duncan has BJD or euphallyia polyp bailout I hate to say

 

[tsouth]

I would say give your parameters all a check, and primarily Salinity and Phosphate.

 

[Nigel35]

Salinity is a fraction above 1.026

 

[Nigel35]

but it has been higher lately...

 

[Nigel35]

So sorry about the Pm update was gone all day yesterday...
but anyways they are as follows:

Ca: 400
Alk: 8
Nitrate: 10
Phospate 0.25
Ph: 8.0

 

[DeniseAndy]

The only way I was able to save corals after one got BJD was take them out, treat them with antibiotics, make a new tank for them fully cleaned. (I have qt tanks I can set up fast). I still could not save them all. This was from my 210g. Whatever it is, it spreads.
Good luck with the lps. Sorry to hear of your issues.

 

[John08007]

Is that a leather with its polyps retracted also?

 

[wonroc]

pep shrimp. just dealt with this