Duncan's won't open.

[Josh_84]

Hey folks!
I picked up a duncan coral 2 weekends ago and it opened up almost immediatlly and looked great for 4 or 5 days. Then I came home one afternoon to find a snail had knocked it over and it has not opened since. Anyone have any idea why it would not open? Most days the heads open just slightly but that's it. Any help is appreciated!

 

[chrisfont23]

They're tough. I have about 25 heads on three stalks and go thru this every now and then. Sometime, I notice the shrunkeness over days is met with new growth. Lets hope that's the case here

 

[Dexters Reef]

I agree, whenever mine close up for more than a couple days without any apparent reason, I wait it out and soon notice new growth/heads. First few times I was panicky, but after I discovered there was a pattern to this, I now look forward to the "mystery" times where 1 or 2 don't open for several days. It means babies are coming!

Do you target feed your Duncan's? If they weren't fed by the prior owner, and you started, that could have encouraged new growth.

Let's hope its new growth and not some water problem. Can you post your water parameters also?

 

[Josh_84]

Thanks for the info. I do target feed and they readily accepted it. I highly doubt they were fed before as I bought the frag from a fish store. As I mentioned, they seem to poke out of the base just slightlly. That would be great if it turns out to just be new growth. Luckily I just tested today. Ca:450, mg: 1550, Alk I believe is around 8 but I question my test kit which is an elos, but has given me odd results. Phos and nitrates I don't bother testing for anymore as since I have been running bio pellets they have been undetectible.