Wilting Leather

Mathew0 · Sep 8, 2022

I have a branching leather that started to wilt. I had turned down the flow to help acclimate some new fish, and I changed the light in that end from 2 aqueon hood leds that came with the tank to an AI prime 1 6 HD i had been waiting for. I thought it might be from the flow getting turned down, so I put it back up yesterday. Today, it still looks very wilted, and a little greenish.

Mathew0 · Sep 8, 2022

Here’s some pictures

EagleEye121 · Sep 8, 2022

It’s normal for softies like this to shed their skin every now and then, that could be what’s going on. I’ve had leathers shrink up and lose their PE for days at a time and bounce back looking better than ever. Also be careful about not blasting it with too much new light right away, it could also be adjusting to the prime. They have an acclimation mode you can activate if needed.
Give it a few days and I bet it bounces back assuming your parameters are good.

Mathew0 · Sep 19, 2022

The Leather has now pulled all its 'limbs' in and is now just the main trunk and scrunched up nubs where the limbs were extending. Does this still sound like it is molting?
Also, the cabbage leathers now have small round opening around the edges. I'm wondering if these are the coral's 'mouths'?

EagleEye121 · Sep 19, 2022

Did it ever improve since your original post? Or has it progressively gotten worse?
Post some pictures when you can

Mathew0 · Sep 19, 2022

It appeared to be coming back from the 1st pics. I had increased the flow and it stood back up. The last few days the foxface has been using it as a pillow at night. I'm wondering if the leather doesn't appreciate all the touchy-feely vibes.

EagleEye121 · Sep 19, 2022

That’s probably agitating it to an extent, but it should expand its polyps throughout the day despite being touched.

melonheadorion · Sep 19, 2022

i wouldnt mess with it too much. you will find that leathers do this often. so, this isnt the last time you will see it. i usually see it when its time to shed