Bubble coral deflated

[MikeTR]

Have a bubble coral that's deflated on one side. It's been permanently mounted in this spot for about a year and now going on the second week of not looking so hot. I believe it's looking a little worse than whats in the picture now. I'm wondering if it finally grew so big that it ripped.

Here it is a month ago.

 

[maroonman]

or that hammer got the better of it.

 

[MikeTR]

Pic is a little deceiving, that hammer is quite small and since moved. So what are my options.. leave it alone, iodine dip? There's a lot of SPS in the tank so params are quite stable.

 

[maroonman]

well, I sliced a bubble on my large green bubble ( cleaning ) a few weeks ago, it pulled in like yours is ,, But within a week to 10 days . its back in full glory. I didn't dip it. I left it alone. I always fear pulling such a big coral..the bubble will burst or rip when it hits the air. So you may do more damage then good trying to dip it.

 

[MikeTR]

not lookin so good

 

[maroonman]

no. thats not looking good, keep an eye on that cleaner shrimp,,,he may be making matter worse. shine a light in there after the lights are out for a few hrs. and see if he is picking at it.

 

[MikeTR]

well the leave it alone method isn't working. Shrimps aren't bothering it. Can I frag to save it?

 

[MikeTR]

well... i fragged off a little under half of it with the inland saw.. tissue was detaching. bummer.

 

[MikeTR]

looks good 2 days after fragging.. waiting game now.. feeder tentacles were out when I fed the fish so gave it a tiny bit

 

[maroonman]

did you keep the other skeleton in the tank? I have had one in the past melt away..only to have 10 or so baby bubbles appear in the old skeleton.

 

[MikeTR]

I didn't. I was worried about the possibility of brown jelly setting in even before i made the decision to frag it; or if it was some sort of bacterial infection, I didn't want it to spread.

 

[MikeTR]

still looks ok today..