Plate Coral Question

[salty72]

Is it normal for a plate to look like both of the pics below - one minutes he'll look ballooned up like he's gonna burst and then he looks like the other one, like the current changed or something and is blowing his undersides up, then other times he looks normal. He's eating fine - feed him shrimp. I run a bare bottom tank so there is no sand for him and he has this little nub type thing under him so finding a spot for him is hard. Where he is now is smooth. I can honestly say I haven't tested in over a week but when I test my numbers run right where they should be except for my nitrates - those usually run high - between 10 and 20 ppm - that's way to high isn't it? But if he was dying wouldn't he be shriveling up not puffing up?

Couldn't get the second picture to attach for some reason.

 

[droth335]

They inflate & deflate themselves frequently. They may inflate to move (yes, they do move if they are not happy). I would suggest you put him on the substrate so he doesn't damage himself when/if he does move. Nice looking plate!

 

[salty72]

Thanks for the info. I think he's a rather nice plate myself as well - thank you!

 

[Nina51]

very nice! mine does the same thing. i agree, i'd put him on the floor of your tank. the rocks can damage his underside.

 

[salty72]

I moved him to the bottom