Help with chalice coral!?

[squishifishi]

Hi, I bought a chalice coral the other day, and just noticed something strange. There is a hole near its centre. The hole is slightly raised and the area around it is a different texture. It is more poofy and smooth. Also, it is a slightly different color. Here is a picture. Also, could somebody please give me an I'd for this chalice? Thank you!!!

 

[Biocubehqi]

It is a neat piece, if it isn't a pest it should heal back up, my guess is that some worm has made itself a new home.

 

[squishifishi]

Eek! I sure hope not! I does not appear to tunnel down deep, it looks almost like rock behind it. Very strange.

 

[greech]

Barnacle hole.

 

[akitareefer]

You can try closing the hole with some super glue using a fine tip

 

[squishifishi]

barnacle hole? would a barnacle live inside a coral? ive never heard of that before. if it is, will it harm or irritate the coral? will supergluing kill whatever is inside the hole, or just help it heal if it is a wound.
thanks!

 

[greech]

Barnacles are not uncommon in corals (they were probably on the rock first). I see them in chalices quite a bit when they come in around here. It will not harm the coral. Gluing it will kill the barnacle if its still in there. If not, the chalice will grow over the hole with or without supergluing it closed.

 

[squishifishi]

Ok, ots starting to close up now. I hope it will be ok. Thanks!

 

[squishifishi]

i notice that around the edges and in the newly healed area, the coral is more of a pinky brown area and it is very poofy. the center body is grey and spiky, hard. it seems like the edges are themore healthy way to be. i wonder if it might be bleached. thus, the greyish color, and that would explain why the sides and wounded spot are different looking because that is where there is new flesh growing? i dont really know though, thats just a guess. if it was slightly bleached though, would the eyes still be so bright green like they ae? any ideas?

 

[squishifishi]

now it is all nice and poofy except for the half that is very white. do you thik my theory is correct? other ideas?

 

[akitareefer]

Puffy rims are normal. Not sure about what's happening with the white part. The chalice doesn't look bleached in your first photo, I've seen a bunch with white coloring.