Blastomussa wellsi tissue recession

[bureau13]

I got my first blasto a few weeks ago and it seemed healthy. I have it about a third of the way up (36" deep tank) under 250W HQI...flow is probably moderate to low in that area. However, one of the polyps is almost completely receeded and the next one over about halfway gone. The rest seem fine, but I'm getting concerned. The only thing I can think of is light...is that still too much?

I haven't been specifically target feeding anything too often, just what I feed the tank. Any tips or ideas on what may be going on?

Thanks,
jds

 

[bureau13]

Oh yeah, water parameters seem OK...temp around 81, pH is 8.1, salinity 1.024 (a bit low, but everything else seems to be doing well) ammonia, nitrites and phosphates are all 0, nitrates are about 5.

jds

 

[Illuminati]

I keep my 2 blasto's in the shade under my PC's. No doubt it's to much light.

 

[grisha]

well , save way to save the colony is to frag the sick heads
(im trying to save some wellsi in the same shape
i do it only as expirement 'couse the chance that it will spread to other heads are high
i do it only couse i got the dead skeleton with 2 heads fine 3 heads sick)

 

[bureau13]

OK, thanks for the info. I've moved it down to the sand bed, in an area where it should be somewhat blocked from most of the direct light. I'll keep a close watch on it, and if the currently half-recessed head continues to get worse, I will pull it and frag it.

jds

 

[UprightJoe]

Another thing to try might be to epoxy it to your live rock with the polyps turned 90 degrees from the light. I'm having a similar issue where I've been cooking a blasto with too much light.

Mounting it on its side was recommended to me by several people. It's also mentioned in Borneman's book too I believe.

 

[blange3]

Light was probably too much. Also target feed. I have one that has recovered quite nicely from it's extended stay at an LFS. It loves to eat about twice a week.

Also how is the Alk, Ca and Mg??

 

[paininthewrasse]

bureau13 if you decide to sell it im your man. PM me

 

[bureau13]

I think I will keep it, thanks

Blange3, what do you target feed your Blastos? I rotate around between Coral Frenzy, Marine Snow and the Formula frozen variety pack and mysis that I also feed the fish. Anything in particular that I should add to that regimen?

jds

 

[mbunaman]

To me sounds like its getting to much light. I had one do that on me and I placed it behind some of my rocks with very little light and he puffed back up in a few weeks. I have really never seen my blasto eat since the really dont have feeder tentacles that I can see like the acans. They are neat corals and very addicting.

 

[The Beaut]

Put them on the bottom of the tank in a shaded area and they need to be target fed. I have many blastos and even bought damaged ones and brought them back. I feed mine mysis once or twice a week and have had great results. Good luck with them

 

[jessp]

listen to the beaut he has some of the most awesome blastos. my blastos really like mysis and brine. I have also fed some bloodworms that my sunpolyps like. they really get big and fluffy after the feedings. In addition they brighten up big time after feedings

 

[blange3]

Sorry bureau13, I got busy and missed your question.

I feed mysis and cyclopeeze 2x a week. I also add in some chopped krill and squid on occasion.

 

[bureau13]

OK, good info everyone, thanks.

I find myself feeding mostly after the halides are out, sometimes after everythign is out, since many corals have feeder tentacles out then. However, the Blastos seem to recede a lot at that time. Would I be correct in assuming they should be fed while they're at their "fluffiest?"

jds

 

[blange3]

That is when I feed mine.

I have a dusk cycle with just actinics on an hour before lights out. I do my feeding then. The blastos are open and everyone else has learned to expect food. My candy canes and acans start to send out feeders.