Distressed Brain Coral

[Mark NJ]

Hello All,
I'm hoping someone can help me with this.
I purchased a distressed Trachyphyllia "coral rescue" open brain coral from an LFS. I have had it for over 2 weeks and if anything, the coral is receding further. I have a mixed reef system with thriving corals ranging from mushrooms and softies to SPS. Lighting consists of 2 175 10k halides with flourescent actinics. Water turnover is approximately 360 gph with 3 return feeds from locLine fittings so I believe my flow is good. The coral is set above the sand bed on a small piece of live rock to help increase flow and with regard to lighting, it is centered between the 2 halide bulbs.
My water parameters are:

PH 8.2
Salinity 1.024
Calcium 370
Nitrate 10-15 ppm
Alkalinity 7.7 ppm / 2.74 mg/L
Magnesium 1230 ppm

With help from a fellow NJ Reefers club member, Concept3, I have raised magnesium and Alk levels and but I see no improvement thus far.
I've read that this type of coral is susceptible to brown jelly infections and other problems. I have noticed some brown areas on the receding flesh in one area particularly (lower right).

I would appreciate any and all who are familiar with Trachyphyllia open brain corals to check out these pics and offer any advice. I need to know if the parameters above need further attention or if the problem might be a parasite, infection etc. I'm thinking of dipping it in Lugols or similar dip but dont want to further shock an already distressed coral.. I'm committed to saving this guy.

Thanks, Mark

 

[wrott]

Sorry to say, but I believe that coral is gone. May be too much light. I've seen the T. radiata come back from hell, not the T. geoffroy.

 

[ACBlinky]

I wouldn't give up hope yet, I've saved corals that looked just as bad. I rescued a bleached, receding brain and within a few months it had regained tissue, coloured up and was expanding fully.

Give the brain some shade, and try giving it some small pieces of meaty food like mysis; place a piece on its mouth and cross your fingers. It could take quite a while (half an hour or more) to accept the food, if you've got shrimp or fish that will bother the coral you could try placing the top half of a 2L soda bottle over it to prevent theft.

 

[KBartley77]

I purchased a brain from a LFS in about the same shape as yours. I have him at the bottom in a little shade and target feed him mysis about every three days. It looks 100% better in the month I've had it. I actually saw his feeder tenticles last night.

 

[Mark NJ]

wrott,

I believe this coral is also a geoffroy. It was actually in worse shape than mine but he brought it back. Here is the link of his ordeal if you're interested. I'm just hoping I can do the same.
Concept3's Brain Coral Save

AC I will try to shade it a bit. I did try to feed it and don't see any reaction. I will try the soda bottle technique and keep an eye on it to see if it eats.

Thanks

Anyone have any opinions on the dipping???

 

[Mark NJ]

KBartley77 Looks great!! Congratulations. Could you tell before last night when you saw the feeder tentacles whether it was feeding on the mysis you were giving it? Were you feeding frozen ?

 

[ACBlinky]

If you drop some food onto its mouth, you'll see the brain open up and take it in. I imagine extending feeder tentacles takes a lot of energy, you're not likely to see that for quite a while but it doesn't mean the brain can't/won't eat in the meantime. In a starving, stressed coral it might take a long time but I'm willing to bet you'll get a response eventually. Start with tiny pieces -- eventually it will take larger chunks, but for now baby it all you can. Best of luck, I think you'll be able to do it.

 

[Mark NJ]

Thanks AC for the vote of confidence...Heh...I started giving it very small baby brine shrimp. Cant tell for sure if the coral ate it or fish ate it off the coral. I will try with the plastic bottle shield next time to make sure... I appreciate your input.. Mark