On 11/7/07 I acquired some Favia frags and placed them on the sand of my 65g mixed reef with T5 lighting. They're doing fine, looking good and growing. On 11/20/07 I added some Aussie Acan Lords and a Micromussa. They were initially also on the bottom for a while and then I moved them to about midway in the tank. For several weeks they looked good and I was feeding mysis, brine and cyclopeze. They were what I'd describe as full and fluffy and were adding new heads. One day all the Acan appeared shriveled and they have not recovered. This happened about 3 or 4 weeks ago. I still continue trying to feed, but get little or no response. I moved a couple back to the bottom but there is no change. They still have color but are shrunken. I can't figure out what changed and caused this quick negative response in what appeared to be "happy" corals (acan and micro) that didn't seem to affect the Favia. I also have a Lobo and Mycedium near the bottom which continue to do well. I guess what I'm asking is do the Acan and Favia require such different conditions and if so what? Also, are the Favia just an easier coral to keep? There is a long-nosed yellow butterfly that makes it difficult to target feed, but the only time I've ever seen it picking on corals is when I feed. I can't believe it is the source of the problem since the problem developed in just a day. Thanks for any help offered.
Aussie Acan vs Favia
- Thread starter mildew
- Start date
IMO Favias are easier to keep than Acans... But really Acans aren't all that difficult to keep... I would be suspicious of your butterffly... I have an angel that will pick at Acans, but not favias because Acans are "puffier" and maybe that looks a bit more appetizing??? You might have that problem with your butterfly and just not have whitnessed it... Keep a closer eye on things, and good luck... 
Bump! Hey guys and gals, I'm serious with this question. This is a mixed reef. My most expensive coral is an Aussie Acan frag that was doing great for several weeks and then suddenly "hunkered down" along with the other Acan in the tank. I've been watching the butterfly and can't connect it with the situation unless it is really working them at night. However, the Acan don't appear picked on or torn, just shriveled or what I'm describing as "hunkered down"- no puffiness and no growth. I haven't changed lights (new bulbs on the way) or water circulation (about 40X) and test (all Salifert) the water daily for pH, KH and Ca. pH 8.1, KH 9.8-10.5, Ca 390-420. I make daily additions of baking soda and Turbo calcium. Mg is at about 1600. It was higher in a non-working effort to control some algae. Should mention that PO4 and N03 test 0. No fuge or sump but 2 balls of Cheato in the tank that stay really green, but aren't growing much. Since the Lobo is fully expanded and growing, I can't figure it. Using RC salt and RO/DI water. Temp. 81, salinity 1.025. There is one leather (Devil's Hand) and some softies (Xenia, Anthelia, mushrooms, Zoas, Ricordia and GSP) in the tank. SPS in the tank and doing well are Monti caps, Monti digi, 1 Acro, and several other SPS. Answers, suggestions greatly appreciated.
I just had this problem with my Aussie acans. I first thought it was my fox face picking at them. I made a cage with eggcrate to keep it from picking at them. I keep them in the cage for two weeks and they were still deflated. I did a 25 gallon water change and about 1 hour after I did it they started puffing out again. Everything I tested for before was perfect Alk 10, cal 440, ph 8.3, phos 0, nitrate 0, and mag 1350. In my case I think it was something I was not checking for.
Right now blocking is out. The butterfly will go before I do that. Three people have already asked for the butterfly so it will have a home if/when I make up my mind. Right now it is on probation. I've had the butterfly since April '07. I've found that fish, pretty as it is, to constantly be in the way when I try to target feed. It has an insatiable appetite, day and night, always hungry and grabbing food. It is constantly looking for something to eat. It is the fish that pulls chunks of fish, larger than it can eat, away from the anemonies. It steals from the sun coral and the lobo. It doesn't eat algae and ignores the nori that the tang, Midas blenny and clown goby love. One water change done, another tomorrow.
