common reactions of LPS to ammonia or nitrite

[FUA]

I was wondering some of your observations of LPS when there is a small ammonia spike. I observed my fox coral (Nemenzophyllia turbida) start to have two of its sixteen polyps begin to turn white and rot. The coral was introduced two weeks ago. all other water parameters are acceptable other than I had a small ammonia spike. Will this ammonia cause polyps to rot or become stressed. All other polyps look normal.

 

[killagoby]

Ammonia is toxic and will cause this to happen. Is the tank going through "new tank syndrome"? What caused the spike?

 

[FUA]

no it is over a year old. but for some reason I got a little over-zealous with my fish feeding. I am going to perform a water change until the ammonia reduces. Hopefully the coral will recover.

 

[killagoby]

Do the water changes every week. Don't overfeed. If you can, cut off the dead branches of the coral.

 

[seapug]

the ammonia spike could also be a result of the decaying polyp tissue. Sort of a chicken or egg situation.

 

[FUA]

what is the best way to cut off dead branchs. I saw a frag article on reefcentral.com where the person used a dremal with a circular blade to cut into the body. he then used shears to cut it. should I cut the dying branch off as soon as possible or just let it die and hope the rest will survive. your advice has been helpful so far. thank you

 

[killagoby]

Cut it off ASAP. I was just reading an article about it. I wish I could remember where so I could send it to you. The dying/dead heads might infect the healthy ones. I would think a heavy pair of wire cutters would do the trick. Let me know how you make out...

 

[FUA]

I did the water change and it looks like it might of helped. but I am still going to cut off the rotting polyps and see how the rest of the coral makes out.

 

[sunfish11]

Sounds like brown jelly and it will spread. You need to cut the skelton with the dremmel like you mentioned and if you have to cut through flesh then do it with a razor. I hope you save it.

I never thought this type of coral was very easy to bother with small amonia spikes and nitrite isn't that harmful to marine aquaria. It is more of a problem with freshwater systems.



Lisa

 

[sunfish11]

Oh, and watch the heat (from friction) when you are dremmeling. You don't want to burn and good tissue and damage the coral in the process.

 

[FUA]

well I cut my first coral. I have to be honest I was stalling. I am shocked how easy it was to cut. I felt like I was in some initiation to reef keeping when I cut it. I think the health of the coral was too far gone. Whatever it was had spread to other polyps. I think if I would have just cut off the bad polyps as soon as I saw them I would have been better off.

Sunfish11 can you tell me more about brown jelly disease.

 

[FUA]

also does brown jelly spread to soft coral and mushrooms