New Toadstool Question/Problem

[michfish5]

I recently purchased a toadstool that has long thin polyps with white tips. Acclimated and dipped with Coral Rx. Placed it near bottom of my 65 gallon with moderate flow. Have AquaticLife HO T5 quad setup. Was only running blue and purple bulbs to start. Toad was open and doing well for three days but on fourth morning would not open. Noticed some white spots on the cap. Thought maybe some sand got on it. Moved it to a slightly higher spot in tank but still not opening and now has more white spots and patches on it. Still feels firm. Thought it might be shedding. I used a baster to see item the white spots would blow off but they did not. Is this normal for a toadstool? I know they go through phases especially when in a new tank but the white patches are concerning me. I was running Phosban but I read that may be a problem so I took it out. I added carbon to see if that helps. Any thoughts on the white patches would be appreciated.

 

[michfish5]

Here's a picture. Anyone?

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/405/an93.jpg/

 

[Twistofer]

According to Aquarium Corals by Borneman, white patches, especially waxy ones, can be the coral shedding its "skin." They do this to remove debris, dead patches and old mucus. Give it time to settle in.

 

[michfish5]

Thanks. It is still looking sad but doesn't seem mushy. Hopefully it will perk up soon. It was so pretty before.

 

[Bnaum85]

My toadstool did the same thing at the end of its first week in my tank. It really stressed me out because everybody else was happy including a similar coral who had also just been added. Just make sure that you keep your parameters good and it will open up eventually...

 

[michfish5]

Thanks! How long did your toadstool stay this way? My white patches are now tan but still no polyp extension. It's been ten days now.

 

[Daniel62]

I have had them stay in this state for as long as a month. And it seems that the bigger they are the longer it takes them to shed. I won't worry, these are some of the toughest corals out there. Also you might want to check it out at night, there is supposed to be some type of critter that likes to eat leathers, but they are pretty uncommon to have.

Good luck

 

[michfish5]

Ok I will hang in there. All the other coral look fine so hopefully I just need to be patient. Thanks tor the input.

 

[Whiterabbitrage]

You can speed up the shedding by blowing on the coral with a pipette. You can get disposable medical pipettes off of Amazon. They are invaluable! Toads seem to me to be pickier about flow more than light. Good luck!