Leather Coral

[Foooz]

I got a leather coral form the LFS a couple weeks ago. After placing in my DT within a few hours he expanded to about twice original size. For the two weeks he expands when the light is on and contracts at night. This week he has stopped expanding when the might is on. I have not moved him and water has stayed reasonably steady with only a small drop in salinity from 1.023 to 1.021, which I am working to bring back up. Could the salinity change cause this behavior? Am I at risk of losing him?
Scott

 

[Dking271]

Yes, the drop in salinity would definitely cause the reaction that you describe. Your salinity at 1.023 is also low, as most reef tanks are kept between 1.024 - 1.026 with the higher range used most often. Leather corals are pretty hardy, and I would suspect that once you get the water corrected, the leather will return to normal.

 

[Dkuhlmann]

Yes it could be the drop in sg causing it but remember leathers will shed and when they get ready to they look like crap, Death even

Mix your top off water to 1.026 and let the top off raise your sg slowly until you get it back up to 1.025-1.026

 

[mcozad829]

I got a leather coral form the LFS a couple weeks ago. After placing in my DT within a few hours he expanded to about twice original size. For the two weeks he expands when the light is on and contracts at night. This week he has stopped expanding when the might is on. I have not moved him and water has stayed reasonably steady with only a small drop in salinity from 1.023 to 1.021, which I am working to bring back up. Could the salinity change cause this behavior? Am I at risk of losing him?
Scott

The change in SG could have done it... it could be getting ready to shed, I would doubt you are at risk of losing him, just keep an eye on it and don't go moving it around or messing with the tank to try and get it looking right, it'll come back when its ready.

 

[Ron Reefman]

I've found leather corals to be very strange and slow to change beasts. Sometimes I don't see polyps for days at a time. They shrink, they expand, and if cut they slime like crazy! Just be patience with it, they are very hearty.

 

[Foooz]

Thanks everyone, I am working on bringing the salinity up. Will continue to monitor.

 

[Bent]

I wouldn't worry about it. Mine occasionally looks like death warmed over for a week while shedding, then opens up again.

 

[cloak]

Check this out. (link below) It's about a Sarcophtyon, but this information pretty much applies to all leather corals IME. GL.

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2013/3/corals

 

[Foooz]

Ok I am not feeling good about my leather. I have uploaded pictures to my album. He appears to be wilting away. Thoughts?

 

[Dkuhlmann]

I still say don't worry about it. Make sure it's in a moderate to heavy flow and good lighting. Leathers are very hard to kill, they look like death often.

 

[Fallling]

He does look a little grumpy. Have you check other params like alk? That was a pretty small drop in salinity, so while it may have been grumpy for a bit, I think it would have bounced back by now.

 

[Foooz]

No Alk test. Will pick one up this weekend. Thanks for the help. Dkuhlmann I wish I could figure out to put the picture in my thread. I have tried the photobucket with no success.

 

[Dkuhlmann]

You're welcome, I'm always happy to help. In the quick reply box there is a little picture with a mountain and a sun in it. Click that and past the URL of your picture on photobucket in the box that pops up and it will post the picture in the thread.

 

[gji]

What's your magnesium, calcium and alkalinity at?

 

[Foooz]

Update - the leather did not make it. It kind of rotted from the bottom up. There is a couple small "fingers" that still have color. I am going to try and glue to a rock and see if it will grow.

 

[Fallling]

Update - the leather did not make it. It kind of rotted from the bottom up. There is a couple small "fingers" that still have color. I am going to try and glue to a rock and see if it will grow.

Use either a rubberband and or toothpick- leathers slime up and typically glue won't work well.

 

[Foooz]

Thanks will do.