Leather Coral closed

[Raphael]

My Leather coral used to look like this:

But now it looks like this:

It has never opened in the past week and I am concerned that it might be dieing or dead. All the other corals are nice and open but this one is staying closed. I moved it yesterday after the water change to see if it would help but so far it hasn't. Why is it closed?

 

[kau_cinta_ku]

it is prob. getting ready to shed which leathers often do just give it time.

 

[Raphael]

I forgot to mention that it did shed some white stringy stuff when the lights went off. It even did this when it was at the phase of opening. What do you mean by it probably is? Do you mean it is dead?

 

[Raphael]

I'm not sure exactly what it is but now it seems to be shedding skin.

 

[fsn77]

Shedding skin is normal. Ours shed twice a week for the first month or so that we had it. Now, it sheds less often, probably only once or twice a month. If it's in an area of moderate flow, the current will help with the shedding. If the flow is on the low side, you can help it by creating some gentle current with a turkey baster.

Give it some time and post any further progress or problems.

 

[Raphael]

It is quite new and it was open for the first 2-3 days but it does show signs of still being alive.

 

[fsn77]

It sounds like it's still adjusting to your tank. Keep an eye on it, but it should start to look a little better each day.

 

[Raphael]

It does actually look a little better each day, I can see the polyps as small dots now instead of no polyps.

 

[hebegebe]

Yes they do slime up/look wet on occasion. Usually it's a defence mechanism and also will shed to clean off any algae growth. ususally when they slime up and shed, they shouldnt really change the color of it drastically. Which seems wierd with yours ? At least thats the experiences I have had with my leathers. But if you notice the polyps emerging again then its a good sign that things are getting better ! Good luck, hope it recouperates nicely !

 

[Raphael]

The mouth of the coral came off today, is this normal?

 

[Raphael]

BUMP

 

[fsn77]

The mouth came off? Leathers don't have a mouth, and I'm not sure what else would be considered a mouth on a leather. Got a new pic?

 

[Raphael]

It's where the white stringy stuff came out of.

 

[DarkStar76]

I had a leather that looked very much like yours... it appeared to decline, and I could not explain why.... the crown actually started falling apart and I figured it was a gonner... except... each piece that it "pinched off" fell and became a new leather coral. I'm still not certain if this is normal, or if the coral was stressed... but my original leather is a small piece of what it used to be.... however, I have 8 or 9 healthy baby leather corals growing very nicely in my tank now. If a piece fell off... put it where it will get some light and not be disturbed... even if the parent dies, you may end up with a new baby. Good luck.

 

[Raphael]

Oops, I threw it away. I will keep the other peices.

 

[Raphael]

The skin has shed and the coral is in great shape now.

 

[fsn77]

Glad to hear it! They can be a little cranky sometimes, but usually pull through and look better than they did previously.

 

[Raphael]

Updated picture:

 

[DarkStar76]

lookin' good! Looks like it would love cyclop-eeze....

 

[55semireef]

Looking good again.