Bleaching/RTN/STN? Help with SPS problem, pictures attached

[pfoxgrover]

Does this look like regular bleaching or RTN/STN? When I first noticed it I though it might be something more than bleaching because there was stringy/ frilly bit where the flesh was dying ( I couldn't get them in the picture). Sometimes underneath and sometime on top.

It has not been a loss of color starting at the base and moving up in a day or so to kill the coral. More like a growing sore that takes about a week or so to kill off the coral. At first I thought the stringy bits was a nudibranch but it wasn't.

Water levels are pretty normal, Phosphate had got a little high.

Salt 34 ppt
ALK 8.5 dkh
Ca 430 ppm
Mg ~1300
NO3= 2 ppm
PO4 = 0.08 (I had let it creep up to 0.16)

At first is was just on one species (the green one I think is a Digitata?) It killed off a similar specimen. Then the green Monti cap got it and the blue Digitata.

I read in "The reef aquarium" that RTN/STN would effect and all corals in the tank of the same species so I am worried it will spread to other corals.
Other coral species in the tank look good, softies, LPS and SPS.

Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks,
Paul

 

[rogergolf66]

Tagging

 

[Pseudo69]

If that is only on your Monti's check for nudibranch. You have Polyp extension on the rest of the colonies. Check underneath because they don't like the light. If the rest of your acros are affected then it is something else.

 

[rogergolf66]

What is the something else it could be? I have same problem on my Mounties but also on my 4 different birdsnest. Acros r fine. Levels r good and double checked with 2nd test kits. Salinity also double checked. Temp on apex so no issues there either.

 

[pfoxgrover]

If that is only on your Monti's check for nudibranch. You have Polyp extension on the rest of the colonies. Check underneath because they don't like the light. If the rest of your acros are affected then it is something else.

I took a coral out and pulled on the stringy bit thinking it was a nudi but it was clearly just not one so I put it back. it kind of looks like torn jeans the way the threads unravel.

I also have a similar problem with millipora, I just cant keep them alive more than a month or two.

 

[gojk]

I had that happen when my alk went really low (5dkh) or really high (15dkh). It always hurts the montis and birdsnests the most. The acros just loose color in these events.

 

[skidoctor]

Just happened to me on a rainbow stylo and a birdnest. Within a span of 4 days all polyps were gone and I was left with skeletons. I had right changed my usual regiment as far as dosing alk and vinegar. Everything else in the tank looked and still looks great. Can't find any pests. I just chalked it up to #### happens when trying to keep the ocean in a glass box.

 

[Pseudo69]

I had this happen when my mag was low (Like 900) and also a when I had a huge alk swing (doser went nuts). But by looking at the parameters you gave they look right. I have seen bacterial infections cause this also. If anything try dipping one of them in a coral dip like Coral Rx or similar and see if it helps.

Go over everything you did this week to the tank (Dosing, Vodka, MB7, prodibio, iodine or any additives) that may have changed water chemistry. Water change with a different bucket (contaminated), different salt mix or mix/top off water bad. Go back to basics (carbon, water change, dip and frag off the dead/dying areas)

HTH

 

[timvdb]

i go for the nudi diagnosis.

1. The living tissue of the corals look ok with PE and colours.
2. Only Monti seem affected.
3. tips of corals are ok, which rules out UV/light related issues.

I had a similar issue in my reef and the best way forward is to feed the corals so that they build natural resistance and remove the nudis with a pipette.

Pictures herunder:

http://www.qualitymarine.com/News/F...d:-The-Montipora-Eating-Nudibranch-(02/04/11)

 

[pfoxgrover]

It is definitely effecting my Digitata and Millipora. Maybe I have two problems.

 

[BrentH]

Nudi I bet

 

[pfoxgrover]

Oh Crap

Oh Crap

Oh crap. Am I screwed? I have a tank full of this stuff.

I just started reading the link above. Do any of these treatments work?

 

[mc-cro]

I was going to say nudi's, but I see you found them.

IME, you are screwed. these things are the scourge of a tank. The only way I have ever been able to completely get rid of them was to just throw out all my monti's. I tried QT and weekly dipping for 6 weeks, and they still kept coming back.

In the end, I threw them all in the trash, they were all almost dead anyway. And then waited several months before introducing any new monti's.

 

[pfoxgrover]

What a nightmare !!!! I have some really big ones I've been growing for a year and it looks like there eating my Digi also

 

[mc-cro]

Yes, every montipora digitata, montipora cap, monti whatever is going eventually be targeted.


I now have a very strict 4-6 QT on everything. I dip weekly with a variety of stuff. Monti's get especially critical inspection and twice weekly dipping.

 

[pfoxgrover]

I took a 6 line out of the tank a month ago. I was already loosing some corals before I took him out, but he may have been helping.

I am freaking out. It is a 240 gallon tank and half of the SPS are Montis

 

[mc-cro]

6 line or others will be helpful at keeping them at bay, but they will never eliminate them all.

start doing some research on them, I do not envy you one bit.

 

[pfoxgrover]

I have been QT all fish but not the coral.

What products do you dip with?
My red Digis seem unaffected is there any hope to save them?

Can I move frags to a QT tank?

 

[pfoxgrover]

I just ordered some Potassium permanganate on ebay. Has anyone tried that?
Its use is described here:

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-09/eb/index.php

 

[mc-cro]

Potassium permanganate is the only thing I did not try, that and Bayer insecticide I just discovered recently.

revive,coral RX, lugols, will knock the adults down, enough that you can blow them off. but it doesnt always kill them.

its the egg cycle that you have to kill. The adults can lay and hatch eggs in just a few days.

As for the red digi, you have to remove every monti from the tank. If you leave just one in the tank, the nudi's will eventually find it, although you may feel safe, remember it may take weeks to months before the infestation.

Remove every monti-, put them all in a QT, and nuke the crap out of them with permangenate, bayer, and whatever else you have. The egg cycle is 3-5 days if I remember correctly, so you need to dip 1-2 times per week.

there are accounts of adult nudi's living for months in a display tank without any montiporas, so you have to keep them out of the tank for months. If you leave one montipora in, even just a small piece, then your efforts are wasted.