White Areas on Torch Skeleton

emilybell1 · Aug 24, 2021

I just noticed my torch has a white area on it’s skeleton. Does anyone know what might have caused this? Maybe a snail or emerald crab picked at it? I’ve had the torch for about a month and it’s been happy. It’s in med light/higher flow. This happened overnight and I haven’t noticed any pests in the tank. The flesh seems healthy and it’s still showing good extension. The only other euphyllia is a hammer and it doesn’t have this. Tank has been up a little over a year and is a mixed reef, all other corals seems happy. My parameters are:
Nitrate- 14
Phosphate- .1
Calcium- 450
Alk- 9.5
Mag- 1600
Sal- 1.025
Temp- 78

I noticed it right after I did my monthly 20g water change. It hasn’t quite opened up all the way again after the water change in the photo. Thank you!

Dcal · Aug 24, 2021

is it a hard white area or softer

Shirak · Aug 24, 2021

Need a better photo under white light. If you are talking about the lighter areas down near the base, then maybe something was scraping at it and exposed some of the white skeleton. There isn't usually flesh down that far on a torch coral

emilybell1 · Aug 25, 2021

The area is hard and yes it’s down by the base. I think it looks like something did scrape it. I wasn’t sure if that might be a sign of some type of pest. Here’s a photo in just whites. Thanks!

Shirak · Aug 25, 2021

I can't really think of any pest that would be causing that.. I also wouldn't be too concerned since it's low down on the skeleton. Just keep an eye on it and see if it gets worse? How long have you had the torch? Not seeing much tissue around the top outside and the right side looks like it's retracted and maybe receded around the lip into the polyp area.

emilybell1 · Aug 25, 2021

I’ve only had it for about 3 weeks. It came in looking receded. I think it’s looking a little better than when I received it but definitely open to suggestions to help it!

Shirak · Aug 25, 2021

emilybell1 said:
I’ve only had it for about 3 weeks. It came in looking receded. I think it’s looking a little better than when I received it but definitely open to suggestions to help it!

Do you target feed? Mine like chopped up mysis, lps pellets and other meaty type foods. Your tank parameters seem ok. Mg at 1600 is on the high side but probably not a big issue.

If it has seemed to improve then that's a good thing. If it was going downhill further it probably wouldn't have lasted 3 weeks in your care. So if the decline is reversed it will slowly improve but it can be months before you see a big improvement. Ideally would like to see flesh all around the outside top of the skeleton extending down 1/2"-1" or so

emilybell1 · Aug 25, 2021

I feed lrs reef frenzy twice a day and Red Sea ab+ maybe every 3 days. On those days I spot feed my lps reef frenzy. The torch hasn’t seem to really take it but I’ll try again. I didn’t want to force food on it. Thanks for your help!

Shirak · Aug 25, 2021

Sounds like there is plenty for them to eat if you are feeding Reef Frenzy twice a day. I would just keep doing what your doing and give it time, and keep an eye on the white areas to see if anything is chewing on the skeleton.