Divers Den Acan problems

[lucky_snapper]

Last week I purchased a very nice Acan from DiversDen an did sure did not get what I was expecting.

Here is what I ordered

And this is what showed up....

And this is what it looks like a week later...

I think its slowly dieing... It has never opened and it just keeps excreting this slimy substance and several of the polyps has died off. First can this be saved ?

Second Live Aquaria has not been too helpful so far .. they just keep telling me to wait the 14 days and let them know what happens.

I have never purchased an acan before so I did not know what to expect but I was very unhappy and I saw this small very uncolorful piece in the bag. Its not at all what I though I was getting. Needless to say it was very expensive.

 

[FinancialReef]

I would put it in a VERY low flow and shaded area and cross your fingers.

 

[klepto]

I think its slowly dieing... It has never opened and it just keeps excreting this slimy substance and several of the polyps has died off. First can this be saved?

Clearly, it's not responding well to your tank. I don't think that LiveAquaria is necessarily to blame. I trust that if it does die before 14 days then they will replace/refund your purchase. It looks slightly different in your images compared to theirs. That could because of different lighting and because of the stress of shipping. It could also have to do with how the photo was edited. Hopefully the corals true colors weren't misrepresented.

What other corals are you keeping?

How much light is it receiving? From the pictures, it looks as though it is up in high light (depending on what your light source is).. I would try placing it lower in the tank until it acclimates to your system.

Also, avoid leaving it exposed to air. Mishandling the coral will not help.

 

[jmski333]

i think a low flow lower light area would be the best thing to do and then at night look for feeder tentacles and throw some mysis in there. I dont think the color of the acan is an issue, it is obviously stressed so it wont look its best like it does in the picture.

Do you have any other acans in the tank? is so how are they doing?

 

[Reef Bass]

The primary difference I see is the tight contraction of the polyps and the subsequent visibility of the tissue between them as compared with the "for sale" pic. I suggest testing your water parameters as it seems there maybe something with which the acan is not happy.

The other distinct possibility is that it's being picked on by a fish or invert?

 

[lucky_snapper]

The acan is in a tank pretty much by itself. There is a blasto in there and a green carpet no fish or anything else. The lights are 2 250 watt metal halide. Water parametets are solid 0 nitrate.

 

[sidewinder2180]

What are your water parameters? I agree the best thing you can do is put it in low light and low flow and try to feed it directly every day. I have one that you could not even tell it was a Acan. The lfs just gave it to me I put it in low flow low light fed it every day it came back and look's great. Wish I had before and after pic's! Your's look's way better than mine did when I got it!!

 

[sidewinder2180]

What all do you test for?

 

[lucky_snapper]

What all do you test for?

I normaly test for nitrate salinity calc and alk ph. Which one would you like to know. As far as feeding it goes I have never seen it open up so I do not think that is possible. I moved it to a different part of the tank and gave it some shade with very little flow.

 

[sidewinder2180]

What are the results for all that you test? To feed mine when it was just about gone I used a feeding syringe and feed it Zooplanktos-L and m with all pumps off. It should still be able get some food even if it is closed.

 

[organism]

It's the one pictured as far as the shape goes, what happened is it got nuked by the amount of light it got on that rock, those are not high light corals. Always put corals on the sand bed to start, preferably in the shade, which is where those should do well. Just make sure and feed them for a week or so if they open up at night.

 

[defchild84]

why is it to me that it seems picture 1, 3, and 4 have very subtle, detailed differences in shape? or am I.....

 

[annettoe]

i agree with most here. Low flow and low light and it should be fine. If its not completely melted by now then im sure it can recover.

 

[lucky_snapper]

It's the one pictured as far as the shape goes, what happened is it got nuked by the amount of light it got on that rock, those are not high light corals. Always put corals on the sand bed to start, preferably in the shade, which is where those should do well. Just make sure and feed them for a week or so if they open up at night.

I had been moving it around the tank from sand bed to higher up to see if it would make a difference. The tank that it is in is only a holding tank and is somewhat of a crude set up. the Halides are suspended about 2.5-3 foot above the tank so while they are bright the par values should not be that high.

 

[d0ughb0y]

quit moving it around. don't attempt to feed it or anything. just leave it alone. I am assuming your water parameters are fine.
the piece is obviously stressed (from shipment and from being moved around) so it will be receded.
you will know if it is dead if the flesh completely comes off.

 

[sidewinder2180]

You need to put it in low flow low light in the shade and leave it there it will take some time like day's! Be patient!

 

[klepto]

Which one would you like to know.

What is your;
Salinity? Include the device used to test for salinity and how regularly is it calibrated.

KH (alkalinity), Ca, Phosphate and Nitrate?
The two of primary concern in my opinion would be salinity and KH.

Also include the type of test kit that you are using and it's age. Have you confirmed the results elsewhere?

I had been moving it around the tank from sand bed to higher up to see if it would make a difference. The tank that it is in is only a holding tank and is somewhat of a crude set up. the Halides are suspended about 2.5-3 foot above the tank so while they are bright the par values should not be that high.

Do your best to find a good placement and let it adjust.

Even with your "crude setup" (more info on this would be useful- bulb age/type etc) I think it would be wise to shade the Acan.

Make sure it isn't receiving high, laminar (mono-directional) flow. This is another reason lower placements work well for Acanthastrea .

 

[chrischin29g]

Dang same thing is happening to my a. Enchinata thy I just got I thin it's cause it was in high flow and Ruhr under my 150w mh

 

[JOZEFEK]

Test for Magnesium Acan dont like low magnesium

 

[lucky_snapper]

UPDATE ** Acan died .. turned white flesh came off skeleton and smelled rotten had to pull it. I emailed divers den and the next day they gave me a credit/ refund. Live Aquaria is top noch !!