Free melted toadstool Leather Help!!

[rustybucket145]

On a recent trip to a LFS I was given a toadstool leather that is in pretty bad shape. I looks like it has kinda 'melted' on the rock. It is not standing upright and the polyps are not fully extending. They will come out like goose pimples but never fully open. The LFS was going to throw it away but I thought maybee I could save it. I fragged a couple of pieces off of it in hopes that they would at least recover. But alas that was two days ago and they are acting the same as the parent.

I don't have a tremendous amount of experience with toadstools. My tank is mainly SPS, Zoos and Ricordias. So I was wondering if anyone else had an experience with a toadstool that was behaving in a similar matter as this one.

The guy at the LFS did say that there was a chance that the coral had been exposed to small amounts of copper at one time due to a new employee placing the coral in a quarantine tank. Would this have a similar effect?

I currently have the toadstool in my frag tank that is tied into my main system. It is under NO Flourescent lights with some natural sunlight. I could move it to my main display but it is pretty bright (dual 400W 10k MH and 2 VHO Actinics) if it would help but I was afraid of shocking it even worse than it already is.

My tank levels are as near perfect as possible and all corals are in great shape. It has been established for years so it is NOT MY TANK causing these problems. As I stated I got this coral for free b/c it was already in this condition. I am more interested in what could have caused the leather to enter into this state and what I could do to help it out in any way possible.

Thanks

 

[techigirl78]

Do you have a QT setup that you could put these in? If they would die, leathers can release toxins that may cause your system problems.

Does it look melted or does it appear to be shrunken up? If it is shrunken up, give it time. Leather often do it.

 

[rustybucket145]

I understand that it would be better to q-tine it. But.... my qtine tank is broken down right now and I was afraid of the possiblity of copper contamination (again) from my qtine tank. I understand that they can pack a potent punch in a reef environment. So I am prepared to yank it as soon as I see signs of this.

I say it is melted but.... It does have some simblance of a toadstool. If it is retracted I would say it is to the extreme. The LFS said that it had not opened in over a week so it is going on two weeks without polyps opening. What time frame should I be looking at here? If the polyps continue to not open how long do I give it (safely) before pulling the plug? A free toadstool is not worth the rest of my stock.

 

[HoopsGuru]

Look for areas of necrosis, aka it will begin to turn "cheesy"....these areas can be removed and you can still recuperate it or you can take this as a final sign and remove it. If it still has a leathery feel I believe there is still hope if placed in the right conditions and left alone.

 

[rustybucket145]

It definately (as of yesterday) had a leathery feel to it. Do you know of any pics/articles about necrosis on a toadstool? I really don't know what to look for. Should I leave it under the NO's with sunlight or move it to the brighter tank?

 

[mogurnda]

Given my experience:
1) It should recover.
2) Other corals in the system probably will not be bothered.

My oldest toadstool has melted down a few times over the years, due to my own stupidity. Removing the deteriorating material and placing it in an area with good circulation has always brought it back, even after being fragged down to a small cube of tissue. It may take a few weeks to extend polyps and look happy again.

 

[CeeGee]

you should put it in a spot and leave it alone. Leathers are kinda finicky until they get used to their new surroundings when moved. They also don't care much for being moved either IME.

 

[rustybucket145]

Well that's encouraging. Now I get to wait and see what color the polyps are!!!

I was thinking of fragging a couple more pieces off of it. Would this be a good idea or should I wait until it recovers?

 

[mogurnda]

I would leave it alone for the moment.

 

[rustybucket145]

Good Idea, I think I will (leave it be). The dog in your Avatar reminds me of my "Pure Bread Mutt". Best damn dogs in the world!

 

[mogurnda]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7075883#post7075883 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rustybucket145
Good Idea, I think I will (leave it be). The dog in your Avatar reminds me of my "Pure Bread Mutt". Best damn dogs in the world!

Yep she's 100% mongrel. Spooky little jackal monster that strikes fear in the hearts of squirrels and frisbees everywhere!

 

[rustybucket145]

hahaha.... If yours is a Jackal then mine is a Dingo.

From the finest Mutt Pedigree in the southeastern United States. He has cousins worldwide.

 

[mogurnda]

Wow, he does look like a dingo! He hasn't stolen any babies has he?

 

[rustybucket145]

hahahah, lol. Maybee the Dingo ate your Goby.

 

[cristhiam]

Jut let it be, mine looks pretty bad every time I frag it, takes about 3 days to get normal