RBTA and leather

[seanm001]

I bought a leather coral a few weeks ago and placed it in what I thought was a good location. Recently, my RBTA has been expanding quite a bit and sometimes flops over the rock above and touches the leather. In fact, it sometimes is actually draped completely over the leather.

Is this bad?

I've noticed that the leather's polyps aren't out as much these days and, when they are out, it's only on the side furthest from the RBTA. But I don't see any other signs of damage to the leather... no apparent burns or stings, the flesh of the leather seems just fine, and I haven't noticed any mucus coming off the leather.

Should I move the leather?

Also, I don't know what kind of leather it is, so any ID help would also be appreciated...

Thanks!

 

[DetectiveTofu]

Move the leather asap
need a picture of the leather also

 

[mborn]

Yes, move the leather. If left in contact the RTBA will severely damage the leather.

 

[seanm001]

Ok, thanks for the input. I'll post up better pictures of the leather for ID later on once I get it situated and happy.

 

[superfirefly]

I don't totally agree. If you can move the leather then I would do it, if not just keep an eye on it. I have a sarcophyton with 4 heads that are attached at the base. I have a GBTA that lives in the middle of it and has for several months. I see no damage to either the leather or the BTA. It actually works out well for my clowns since one prefers to live in the BTA and the other the Sarc.

I know you can't see the BTA in this picture but I assure you that there is a GBTA (The other half of the one on the right) living inside of that Sarc that is in the center of the tank.

If I get time tonight I will see if I can't get a pic of it.

 

[seanm001]

Superfirefly - I think I have opposite situation to yours. If I understood you correctly, your sarcophyton is bigger than the BTA and was already established when the BTA moved in.

In my case, the BTA is at least ten times bigger than the leather and was already established when I added the leather. I changed the powerheads around in order to get more flow across the substrate, but that seems to have changed the direction in which the BTA basks.

I went ahead and moved the leather last night. Didn't move it far, maybe four or five inches down but well out of the BTA's way. There were more polyps open on the leather this morning than any other time since I brought it home, so I think it appreciated the move.

 

[DetectiveTofu]

Why take the chance? Good move on your part IMO. Glad to hear it is doing better!

 

[seanm001]

Wouldn't you know it... I moved the leather last week and then over the weekend the RBTA decided his location wasn't suitable anymore.