Wow, sorry to hear this mate. From the side view alone I can clearly see that they have begun to expel thier zooxanthellae, this is not good. Numerous factors can and will contribute/cause this to occur. A bit of background would help along with a top down picture. If you can click on the link below and see if you can answer any of those questions for us.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1852463
Did you acclimate them in anyway?
I don't agree at all with the constant moving, if anything, it might have contributed to the issues they were already having. Knowing the parameters of the previous system, lighting type, watts, scheme etc are all vital in the transition. Do you recall the type of system they came out of? Listed below are many factors which will contribute to the onset of bleaching.
Bacteria
chemicals
cilates
coccideans
darkness
fungi
heavy metals
higher temps
hypersalinty
hyposalinity
doldrum ( lack of water movement )
light
medications
noxious agents
physical stress
red spectral light
sedimentation
starvation
stress
temp changes
ultraviolet radiation
Here's a direct quote from page 380, top left corner of Eric's Aquarium Corals book.
"Without the proper number of Zooxanthellae in their tissues, corals must rely almost entirely on dissolved nutrient uptake and heterotrophic feeding to meet their energy needs. Without their symbionts, the corals' ready carbon source produced by zooxanthellae photosynthesis is severely, if not totally, reduced. Furthermore, there is no guarantee that a bleached coral can or will adopt new zooxanthellae. Without the uptake of new symbionts, it will then LIKELY PERISH. At the least, metabolic activity becomes abnormal while the coral is in a bleached or partially bleached state, leading to changes in reproduction, reduced growth and possible tissue degeneration.
Translation - If the appropriate measures by each of us are not taken to adequately address that which leads to bleaching and those who make a concerted effort to cause/create a color shift/change, this is what will potentially happen. The coral will expel its Zooxanthellae from its tissue, the coral will have to rely on organic substrates to get its carbon for growth and development, the coral must now adapt to meet its needs for survival, you have impeded the inner natural functions for survival, there is no guarantee that the color will return and possible mortality ( death ) can occur. The very least that's going to happen is the breakdown of food and its transformation into energy will become abnormal and change and/or alter the reproductive rate, hinder growth and possible cause external damage to the coral.
Question, are they retracting at night?
Are they responsive to current or touch?
If you could answer the questions in the link above, I will be happy to try and help you. Until then, make sure they are being hit with medium current which slightly wiggles them but does not cause retraction. They are indeed still alive and viable, but any attempts to save them needs to begin ASAP. Once we hear from you, maybe we can all help save them. As for now, don't move them till we hear back from you my friend. Hang tough.
Mucho Reef
