fingerleather question

[DJ in WV]

When i first got this frag it stayed open and was healthy looking then it started shrinking up. I thought it was just shedding and it seem to be but its been closed up for a month now opening part way for a few days every ten days or so. All my sps, lps, shrooms and gsp are growing and have full polyp extension. I have tryed moveing it around in the tank with no great results, It is bigger then when i got it with more branches but stays drawed up. There is no slim rot or any signs of dieing except of staying closed up. I keep the tank at 78 and a 12 hour light cycle with 3 250 watt Phoenix 14k lamps 10in above the water all parameters are good 8.1 around 180 kh no detectable no2 or 3 and no algae to speak of in the tank so I would assume the test is right. Any suggestions would be great

 

[chezhanks]

Have you tried to place it higher in the tank, closer to the light? I found that solves this problem. Also, observe to see if any fish or invert is brushing against it on a regular basis, in a heavy traffic area that can be a problem.

 

[kingfisher62]

I think that is what I have. Does it look like this when it is open? When Mine is closed it has a greenish blue irridescence when it is open it has some more pink hues. Is yours like that? Or is yours a green nephia?

 

[DJ in WV]

It has been open for two days now it shed was closed for about two weeks still isnt what i would consider fully open. My hermits seem to like the rock its on but I dont think thats it. The polyps are a tan/pinkish but the trunk stays that pale green. I am not positive what sub class it is I got it and 13 other frags from a member here that was moving and needed to unload some stuff. I dont have much experience with leather just seems to stay closed alot longer than what ive read on them.Ill try moving it back up top tomorrow and snap a pick of it open kingfisher and post to see if its the same as yours. Thanks for your replys

 

[kingfisher62]

Souds like the same variety that I have from your description.It is weird how some corals thrive and some just do not do well with no apparent reason.

Do you have any vermitid snails? Sometimes the invisible webs they cast can irritate corals. You can usually see the webs right after you kick up the sediment in your tank while cleaning.
Another thought was chemical warfare between corals, try running some carbon.

 

[DJ in WV]

You know im glad you said that because those snails are all over my frag plugs but dont seem to be anywhere else in the tank. I never had them in previous tanks and thought they were just a type of tube worm so i paid no mind to them. Can you elaborate on their affect alittle I know they have grown all over my trumpet frag and it doesnt seen to be expanding like it use to. Btw your trumpet looks great in the pic

 

[kingfisher62]

Thanks, those trumpets were one of my first lps's.
vermetid snails have hard shells that look like little smoke stacks.
The webs irritate some corals as mentiond before. just kick up some silt near them and any thing floating by will stick to the webs then you can see how they stretch over corals. The tiny ones are not as bad as the big ones.