Help. Colt Dying?

[mbcolangelo]

Few days ago my colt closed up and has remained that way for little over a week. I suspect maybe it's dead, looks like some algae is starting to grow on it now too (just noticed this morning) . I don't know how to really confirm if it's dead so I've been holding off on removing it.

The only recent changes I've had have been some fluctuations in temp. Had temp get close to 78 for a few hours. Otherwise my params are normally stable. My other corals are doing just fine.

Here's my params

Sg: 1.026
dKh: 6.4 (dKh normally closer to 8, I think the temp change may have caused this?)
ph: 8
Ca: 440
Nh4, N03, N02: all 0
Temp: 74

I've had the tank about 7 months and this coral for about 4 months, using T5 HO x2 w/ actinic. 55g tank.

I included a before (below and to the right of frogspawn) and after image.

1 other change that might be worth mentioning. I placed a pumping xenia frag a few inches upstream from it.. Very small and not within touching distance. I moved the frag away from it 2 days ago anyway just to rule it out.



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[shifty51008]

looks fine to me, looks like a kenya tree rather than a colt though, they can close up for weeks at a time and them come back.

also why is your temp so low? I would bump it up to 78-80, and your temp won't affect your alk levels so they are low.

 

[mbcolangelo]

I thought ideal temps were 74-76? I originally kept my tank around 78 until lfs and a couple friends told me that it was way to warm.

With summer being here I've been battling hard to keep my temp stable. - tank is consistently +2 degrees from room temp, I don't own a chiller so I've been blasting the AC to keep the house at 74 lol. If I can safely stay at 78 that would be awesome - I know I can stabilize at 78 with ease.

The only time I've ever seen this coral behave this way was when I first got it. Noticing what appears to be hair algae starting to grow on it got me worried.



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[miranda60]

looks fine to me..; it wil shedding... its a sinularia sp...

 

[shifty51008]

most people run their tanks around 78-80 that is about the average temp in reef waters but they do vary.

 

[mbcolangelo]

Thanks guys! I got to turn my temp controller back on now too, I originally programmed it to maintain 78 - diy arduino system.

Do mushrooms shed too? I have a small red mushroom colony, one has shriveled up and is changing to like a grayish brown color. This has been progressing for about a week now. Only small spot in the very center is the original "healthy" color.




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[mbcolangelo]

Thinking maybe the low temp was playing a role.... Since adjusting my temp and doing a bit of cleanup yesterday it's already back to itself again!

Took this pic just a few minutes ago.

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[miranda60]

no mushrooms do not shed... they spawn.. but i cant' tell whats going on with them without a picture

 

[fishmate]

i agree that it does not look like a colt coral, perhaps a Sinularia?

 

[msnwld]

+1 on the Sinularia.

 

[wireefman]

capenella... or Kenya tree...

 

[wireefman]

no mushrooms do not shed... they spawn.. but i cant' tell whats going on with them without a picture

they leave bits of fesh around and regrow the mushrooms from that... ive never seen a mushroom spawn and release sperm and eggs into the water colum

 

[miranda60]

they leave bits of fesh around and regrow the mushrooms from that... ive never seen a mushroom spawn and release sperm and eggs into the water colum

thats what i ment.. sorry english is not my motherlangue:headwally: