leather turns purple
- Thread starter kmax74
- Start date
dragon_slayer
In Memoriam
it's shedding, very normal part of growing.
kc
kc
I think its bold of you to tell him what it is, as opposed to what you think it might be, based on his brief and vague post. Sounds to me like your talking about retracting and expanding, depending on the coral this can be due to the lighting cycle, irritation, or unheathy conditions. As long as it opens back up this is very normal. When this happens colors can change or intensify because the pigments have less space between them, for example something that is normally tan/brown may look more lavendar/purple when its retracted.
But again, cant be sure without a more detailed description of whats happening.
But again, cant be sure without a more detailed description of whats happening.
dragon_slayer
In Memoriam
I think maybe my experience over the years has left me knowing a little more about leathers then you do then my friend.
kc
Im not your friend, and when a leather sheds it is never noticeably larger than it was prior to the shedding, nor do they turn purple, they become waxy and shiney. Sounds more like a question about expansion and retraction, but I would never say thats what it is for certain without asking for more information, that would just be an arrogant assumption, and as anyone as obviouly experienced and knowledgable as you must know, assumptions are always a mistake in this hobby.
Typical know-it-all, years spent in the hobby clearly does not mean youve learned anything, as LFSs prove daily.
Typical know-it-all, years spent in the hobby clearly does not mean youve learned anything, as LFSs prove daily.
Last edited:
Hormigaquatica
Active member
Good Lord, cant someone ask a question without getting a bunch of snide remarks lately? Its all over this friggin board.
A lot of corals will appear to intensify in color when they close up/contract. I believe its because the flourescing proteins and colors in the coral's tissue are literally being squished together more than usual, so appear to be more bold. Sinularia, for example, can look really intense green when its closed up, but will often look white with just a green tint when fully expanded. Im guessing its the same effect for different leathers (toadstools, cabbage, etc). Im not sure why it is purple in particular... but... they are.
The other thing referred to above is that many soft corals go through cycles where they will close up for a day or two and will develop what looks like a waxy film over top, which is then shed off (I think Fenner is the one that said it looks 'wet underwater"). That can make the coral look a little odd for those few days as well.
As long as the coral opens up again normally within a few days, its likely OK.
A lot of corals will appear to intensify in color when they close up/contract. I believe its because the flourescing proteins and colors in the coral's tissue are literally being squished together more than usual, so appear to be more bold. Sinularia, for example, can look really intense green when its closed up, but will often look white with just a green tint when fully expanded. Im guessing its the same effect for different leathers (toadstools, cabbage, etc). Im not sure why it is purple in particular... but... they are.
The other thing referred to above is that many soft corals go through cycles where they will close up for a day or two and will develop what looks like a waxy film over top, which is then shed off (I think Fenner is the one that said it looks 'wet underwater"). That can make the coral look a little odd for those few days as well.
As long as the coral opens up again normally within a few days, its likely OK.
Hormigaquatica
Active member
Ah, well, thats ok then. :rolleye1:
