Possible Emergency

[NewbyReefer]

Turned my lights on and seen my Brain was HUGE. Biggest I've ever seen it. Is this a good or bad thing. Its normally about 3" away from the plate that its now partially covering. Had this thing for over a year now and I've seen it swell up a couple of times but nothing like this. Any suggestions as to what is going on would be great.

 

[bunzaroo]

It may be attacking the plate for space. I would start my moving the plate coral away..

 

[NewbyReefer]

It may be attacking the plate for space. I would start my moving the plate coral away..

I did that right after I took the picture. Kinda running out of space on the bottom between this brian expanding so much and a 12" tounge coral on the other side.

 

[MechEng99]

Most corals expand and extend tentacles at night in search of food, and this is consistent since you had just turned on the lights. It could also be competing for space as mentioned above. Just keep other corals away from it...nothing to be concerned about otherwise.

 

[NewbyReefer]

Most corals expand and extend tentacles at night in search of food, and this is consistent since you had just turned on the lights. It could also be competing for space as mentioned above. Just keep other corals away from it...nothing to be concerned about otherwise.

Its still hasn't deflated. It stayed that big all day and night.

 

[MechEng99]

It may need more light - sometimes corals in low light inflate to crazy proportions in order to increase their surface area and expose more zooxanthallae to light. Has it been in the same place the entire time? Any corals starting to overshadow it?

I still wouldn't worry...I've never seen anything like that end up being a problem.

 

[NewbyReefer]

Had it in the same spot for about 3 months now. Nothing overtop of it either. My main concern is mainly I can clearly see its mouth. Hopefully it deflates. I fed it hoping that would help but it just sucked the fish down and stayed inflated. Another thing I noticed is my tigertail cucumber is under it and thats why it seems to be moving. I don't thing it is harming the brain. At least I hope not.

 

[MechEng99]

As long as the mouth isn't gaping open, then seeing its mouth is ok.

I wonder if the coral is in a fight response since it feels like something is constantly bothering it (the cucumber under it). I doubt it...but not sure of another explanation.

I'd relax...nothing stands out as being an issue, and it looks like a very healthy coral should. For shiggles and gits, what are your tank parameters?

 

[greech]

Mine did that all the time when it wanted to move. They blow up and catch the current to slowly drift along the sand bed. Had to remove mine once it got too big since it kept trying to take on my chalice and favia.