What's happening to my toadstool?

[Just John]

This toadstool is almost 5 inches across and I have had it since it was small. It has never shed, so maybe that's what is happening and I just don't recognize it. The polyps have been retracted all morning and I just noticed bubbles forming under the skin. They are only on the underside. What is happening?

There is Reef Flux in the tank, but that did not bother it when I used it once before.

Temp - 81 deg
Nitrates - 10
Phos - .05
Alk - 7.3 (it is never much higher, but is still in the "OK" range)
pH - 8.1

The one in the second picture is almost the size of a nickel. There are more bubbles forming too.

 

[blaxsun]

Have you seen Alien?

 

[JGT]

This toadstool is almost 5 inches across and I have had it since it was small. It has never shed, so maybe that's what is happening and I just don't recognize it. The polyps have been retracted all morning and I just noticed bubbles forming under the skin. They are only on the underside. What is happening?

There is Reef Flux in the tank, but that did not bother it when I used it once before.

Temp - 81 deg
Nitrates - 10
Phos - .05
Alk - 7.3 (it is never much higher, but is still in the "OK" range)
pH - 8.1

The one in the second picture is almost the size of a nickel. There are more bubbles forming too.

That is strange. Shedding typically doesn't involve bubbling. It would get a waxy coating and shed that after a couple of days. Very weird.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Looks to me like tunicates. Are you able to remove frag and place in a container of tank water? If so, GENTLY tease with a toothbrush and it should come off. Agitate in the water and return to display tank

 

[MaxTremors]

I’m going to guess it’s just shedding. The bubbles could just be where the outer layer of skin is separating (it’s got the textbook shiny, almost wet looking look). I would give it a couple more days before worrying too much. They can take a few weeks to fully open back up, but so long as it’s not disintegrating or melting, it should be fine and just needs some time.

 

[AltitudeAquarium]

My toadstool did the same thing. Now, I have a lot of baby toadstool in the aquarium. Maybe you are a proud grandparent. Ha ha

 

[Just John]

My toadstool did the same thing. Now, I have a lot of baby toadstool in the aquarium. Maybe you are a proud grandparent. Ha ha

Were yours like empty bubbles at the start too?

 

[Just John]

I’m going to guess it’s just shedding. The bubbles could just be where the outer layer of skin is separating (it’s got the textbook shiny, almost wet looking look). I would give it a couple more days before worrying too much. They can take a few weeks to fully open back up, but so long as it’s not disintegrating or melting, it should be fine and just needs some time.

I just went and looked at it now and the polyps are back out. I guess we will see what happens.

 

[AltitudeAquarium]

My shredded with the bubbles present. Then big bumps and the main head folded. I thought it died. Now there are little ones. Here is picture of one of the little baby.

 

[AltitudeAquarium]

Photo attached