Montipora tissue degeneration

[lilboy88]

Hello

Yesterday I noticed that my purple monti cap had an area of tissue loss. I then fragged the area off and ended up with a few small frags of my colony. Now just under 16hrs later all the frags have lost close to half of their tissue. I also noticed a spot on my orange monti cap, but it isnt as bad. Im stumped because all parameters are and have been stable, is it possible that there may be a disease present? the rest of my sps are full of color and have great polyp extension.

any help appreciated
TIA

 

[mcoomer]

The only time that I've ever seen my own monti caps suffer it was because I'd lost control of my water parameters. I'd double check your calcium and alkalinity numbers. How long have these been in your tank? You may also try adjusting the flow around them. Maybe they're becoming fouled.

Mike

 

[lilboy88]

Ill double check Ca and Alk. The orange monti has been in for roughly a year and has been growing non stop, the purple monti that have been giving me most of the problems has been in for five months and has been growing nicely as well. I have salt water mixing for my weekly water change on Saturday, however do you think that it would be beneficial to do early?

Thanks

 

[ackerman]

What are your magnesium and phosphate levels at?

 

[lilboy88]

Im sorry, I dont have an answer for you, I dont have any good Mg and PO4 test kits, however, My skimmer and GFO have been very effective in removing excess PO4. All my GHA has been dying off and is just about undetectable. Would low levels of PO4 cause this type of tissue loss?

 

[ackerman]

No, but high p04 would. Montis also seem to really be affected by low mag levels.

 

[lilboy88]

Hmm well ill have to use the gift card to the LFS i suspect to recieve as a gift, to go and get a good test kit or two

 

[SpencerG]

I am curious to see what the problem is - I've had the exact same thing happen. The purple cap loses tissue, regardless of fragging, while the green and orange cap get some white spots but no tissue loss.

I don't think it is parasitic, like montipora nudibranches, because I know what they look like and I don't see any. I ended up chucking my purple monti, but I still get the white spots on the green and orange caps, which continue to grow. Alk and calcium are good, phosphate level is low, very little nuisance algae. Regular water changes using Red Sea Coral Pro. Mag may be a low - don't have a test kit for that. I dose Mag every so often, and I use Seachen calcium with strontium and magnesium. I'm at a loss. I suspect either some water issue or bacteria.

 

[Fibinotchi]

Check for monti eating nudibranch, they blend in surprisingly well.

 

[lilboy88]

no nudis or worms, the tissue is very clearly degenerating, I tried to get a pic but with my camera it was no use. I would have to say it appears like its basicly peeling off.

I am curious to see what the problem is - I've had the exact same thing happen. The purple cap loses tissue, regardless of fragging, while the green and orange cap get some white spots but no tissue loss.

I don't think it is parasitic, like montipora nudibranches, because I know what they look like and I don't see any. I ended up chucking my purple monti, but I still get the white spots on the green and orange caps, which continue to grow. Alk and calcium are good, phosphate level is low, very little nuisance algae. Regular water changes using Red Sea Coral Pro. Mag may be a low - don't have a test kit for that. I dose Mag every so often, and I use Seachen calcium with strontium and magnesium. I'm at a loss. I suspect either some water issue or bacteria.

Exactly my issue! purple monti losing tissue, white spots on the orange and green but no tissue loss. I also do like I had mentioned weekly water changes. I will try testing Mg when I can get a kit. Ill post updates for you Spencer

Edit: One question, do you keep any softies in your tank? Iv got some softies that I think might be playing the chemical warfare game.

 

[SpencerG]

I have some mushrooms and one crown leather coral, none of which have been injured, distressed, etc., nor placed adjacent to the caps.

It is very interesting to me that the purple monti the strongly affected while the other color morphs have only minor issues. I'll test for Mg and let you know as well. I bet we have the same problem.

 

[jb61264]

Check for monti eating nudibranch, they blend in surprisingly well.

+1
I would suggest searching a little closer for these. I had the exact same symptoms you describe and thought I had looked close enough to discard these until a friend of mine with experience id'ing them came over and in fact spotted them...totally sucks, had to remove all the montipora from my tank and won't be able to add any for six months to ensure any remaining have died off