Need Help With My Candycane

[cbass488]

I have a new set-up. 55 gallon, using a Fluval 305, about 45 lbs of base rock, 10 lbs of live rock. 2-3 inch sand bed.

My candy cane has been having a little trouble. The heads are all looking happy and healthy. The trouble is that the stock has been either deteriorating or being eaten. Pics to follow.

When we noticed it begin about a week ago, the only other inhabitants were a Banggai Cardinal, a mid size hermit crab, a baby hermit crab and an assortment of turbo, astria and cereth snails.

The 'bite' has been growing.

My skimmer did finally come in and has been running a couple days now, Remora Pro S HOB.

I just tested my water again:

KH - 9 dkh
Calcium - 480 ppm
Phosphates - almost 0
Salinity - 1.025
I've never measured nitrates over 10-15. Still working on those.

Any suggestions what is happening to my Candycane? Is it deteriorating or do I likely have an unwanted pest?

The 1st photo was about 5 days ago, and the 2nd was just now.

 

[GreenSaltyOne]

I just fed mine and they love it. I fed it mysis shrimp. Turn off the pumps and spot feed it with a turkey baster if possible. If it eats thats a good sign. Doesn't look horrible to me. They might need a min or two to put the feelers out. Also, when I first had mine I had it low in the tank and it didn't look great, so I moved it up and it perked up cause it wanted more light. Definitely start it low in the tank and move it up if it looks like it wants more. One head on mine in the shade was very shrunk from lack of light, and its now one of the biggest when I moved it to the middle of the tank with more light. Just my .02 from my little experience, so hopefully someone else will chime in and give more advice, and correct me if I'm wrong. I read a lot and this is what I remember as solid advice and its based off my experience so far. Good luck!!

 

[cbass488]

Thanks Green. I have been feeding brine shrimp and plankton, and it eats readily. As I said, the pollips are doing very well. It's the stock and what looks to be either being eaten or deteriorating that's giving me concern. Sorry, the pic is a cell phone pic and not the clearest possible.

 

[GreenSaltyOne]

I definitely see what you mean in the picture now. From what I understand it the fleshy part above that area thats most important. I'm not experienced enough to know how bad that is or what it means or what to do. Mine definitely turned from brownish to almost black on the stalk after it was cut by the previous owner., but never deteriorated. Does anything nip at it? Your inhabitants seem harmless. I noticed at the LFS that fish and inverts will pick at bruised and dying areas. Definitely keep it fed and hope it grows out of it.

 

[metasinapsis]

Have you Look with a flash light in the night. ---you belive you have those inhabitants but myst of the time some alíen Manage to get to your tank

 

[GreenSaltyOne]

I wonder if anyone has tried this but just a thought, if something is eating the non fleshy part, could you seal it with a reef safe glue? Humans seal wounds with super glue (US army, me) and it works great. Random idea if it keeps getting worse. If its on the hard calcareous part, I personally don't see the problem with trying. Again, don't quote me on it, but I would try it under desperate measure circumstances. .02...

 

[cbass488]

Thanks again. I will give it a look this evening. Guess if it is a hitchhiker it's a matter of looking at the right time.

I did move it to the other side of the tank to see if a different position would help.

 

[footballdude2k3]

Have you dipped with Coral RX or Revive yet?

 

[Reef Bass]

It is not normal for portions of the calcium skeleton, the stalk in this case, to go missing. Something is damaging it. Crab would be my first guess, though there may be something else at work. A flashlight check at night would be appropriate.

The fleshy polyps are the live part. The exposed stalk is structural but not live. You can super glue or epoxy the stalk to your heart's content, but not the polyps please.

 

[LouisianaReefer]

It is not normal for portions of the calcium skeleton, the stalk in this case, to go missing. Something is damaging it. Crab would be my first guess, though there may be something else at work. A flashlight check at night would be appropriate.

The fleshy polyps are the live part. The exposed stalk is structural but not live. You can super glue or epoxy the stalk to your heart's content, but not the polyps please.

I love this idea! Add a clear coat to the base.

 

[cbass488]

Have you dipped with Coral RX or Revive yet?

No, I haven't tried any chemical treatments yet. This is my 1st coral and I'm very much a rookie.

The pollips are still doing fantastic and I've moved it to the other side of the tank. Still need to do a flashlight check, but I've been falling asleep to early lately :lmao:

 

[GreenSaltyOne]

Personally I would super glue the stalk to stop the access to the injured spot, and then definitely look at night for the culprit. If you cannot stay up try a pest trap. You can find them online. They make them for crabs and worms. Also, put the coral somewhere out in the open away from live rock, as most likely the critter harming it is living in the live rock.