Scoly in trouble

[omreardon]

I got a scoly about 2-3 months ago. At first it did fine but the flesh has started to recede badly and the skeleton is showing around the edges and where the mouth is, and the mouth appears to be gaping open. It no longer inflates during the day. I was feeding it myasis and it was eating well but has stopped in the last 2 weeks or so. It started out on the sand bed under direct lights but I read that it might be unhappy under that much light so I moved it to the shade with no improvement.

All the other corals look fine. No other issues.

Water changes done weekly with RO/DI water and Instant Ocean Reef Crystals.

Tank specs:
24 gallon NC
150 watt MH Phoenix 14K
Filter floss, Chemipure and Purigen running in back chamber

Ammonia-0
Nitrates-0
Nitrites-0
Phosphates-0
Alk-8 dkh
Temp-79-80
Ca-400
pH-8
SG-1.025

Livestock:
Banded hi-fin goby and randalls pistol shrimp
peppermint shrimp (large!)
various snails and hermits
frogspawn
hammer
various mushrooms and rics

Any ideas?

PS. My bulb is almost at changing time, I do have an extra Radium 20K that came with my fixture that's never been used. Should I change out the bulb?

 

[planejane]

Sorry to hear this. I'd be bummed if this happens to the Scoly I just got . Have you tried posting this in the LPS forum too? I hope it recovers.

 

[cee]

Did the shrimp and/or crabs ever remove food from the coral after feeding? They could have torn away the fleshy part over time if they did. I had it under T5s for several months before you got it so I don't think lighting should be an issue unless it was being blasted. Not sure about the purigen, etc.; I only ran carbon. The skeleton showing around the edges wouldn't bother me so much but not inflating during the day is of concern.

Dave

 

[omreardon]

I made sure the shrimp and crabs left the food there and actually saw the scoly ingest the food. It was neat to watch. I'm going to catch the stupid peppermint shrimp and get him out of the tank in case he's doing damage.

I'm really worried that it's circling the drain. When I can see the skeleton through the large hole where the mouth is supposed to be it can't be good! There is still flesh around in a donut shape though so maybe all hope isn't lost? Weetabix suggested a dip in Coral Revive. I'm going to do my normal weekly water change, the dip and change my light bulb over the next few days and see if that helps.

Thanks for the suggestions and concern!
Olivia

 

[cee]

Yeah, tissue loss around the mouth isn't good. I was going to suggest iodine added, about 1 drop per 35 gallons or so. If you're running any form of carbon you can maintain this dosing rate for awhile w/o problems. I've been doing it in my tank for a few weeks now and see no increase in the iodine levels with my Salifert test kit. Of course your bioload is probably lower, so maybe every other day to be safe. Good luck and keep us posted.

Dave

 

[omreardon]

When you say add iodine are you talking about Lugols? Should I dip in Lugols and add it to the tank too?

 

[cee]

Yes, I dose Lugol's. You can dip it too but unless you suspect an infection of some sort I would probably hold off on that for a bit.

Dave

 

[seased]

on your test kits - I assume they are Salifert or equivalent? Also, are your test kits fairly new. I just bring this up because I was using a cheaper test kit and was getting wrong readings. Also, have you double checked your readings with a stores test kits? hth

 

[Weetabix]

Would love to hear an update on this.

 

[omreardon]

Update... not looking good. About half the flesh is gone. :sad1:

I'm still trying but I think it's futile.

 

[ironman2]

There usually isnt alot you can do once the mouth gapes and doesnt close back. With a scolly it can take awhile for the tissue to totally release even after its dead. Lack of being inflated you still have a chance, but once the mouth gapes its tough to bring them back.

 

[omreardon]

I just wish I knew what happened. I really like these corals and would look for another but don't want to condemn another one to death without knowing if I can/have fixed the problem.