Shrinking Riccordia :(

[reefer_man_mike]

I have different heads of rics. When i got them they were all perfect, opened up in a couple days with no probelms. For a couple weeks they were really doing great. 2 weeks ago now after one my routine water changes (As well as removing my rock to scrub off evil hair algae) i noticed that 3 of the heads havent opened up fully, The way they should be at least. I dont have a camera right now to take pictures but maybe i can draw a mental picture. 3 rics at which were just a tad smaller them someones palm when fully opened (2" - 2.5") now shunk to the size of a a loonie or larger coin (1" - 1 1/4") They take food if fed but are still the same size and colour. I dont know what to do. and i dont have any idea on what could be wrong as its only 2 of my rics like this

 

[randt122]

Rics do that from time to time especially after doing wcs. Don't worry too much. If they keep shrivelled up, try to relocate them. Are the rics yumas or floridas?

 

[reefer_man_mike]

Their floridas. Im iv tested the water params:

Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 0
Phosphate - 0
Calcium - 380 ppm
Ph - 8.2
Alkalinity - 3.25 mEq/L
Carbonate hardness - 380 ppm
salinity - 1.026


How long does it last?

 

[reefer_man_mike]

OK well i found a pics that are similar to my problem. But no conclusion.

Healty Ric

That turns to this.

 

[FLricordia]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8689677#post8689677 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefer_man_mike
Their floridas. Im iv tested the water params:

Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 0
Phosphate - 0
Calcium - 380 ppm
Ph - 8.2
Alkalinity - 3.25 mEq/L
Carbonate hardness - 380 ppm
salinity - 1.026


How long does it last?

What type of lighting do you have and what is sitting next to the ricordias and where are they located-top, middle, bottom of tank and where in the water flow path and what water flow strength?

 

[syrinx]

What about temp? Cold water can cause significant shrinkage. That and Marge Schott. What other corals are near them? I have had leathers be shrinkin` the rics sometimes.

 

[reefer_man_mike]

Its a nano cube dx so the 2x 24 watters. The rics are sitting on the bottom with only other rics beside them, but spaced out about an inch apart. I have a hydor defelctor so where thier sitting they get flow every 10 - 15 seconds. CoUld it really be a heat problem? my tank changes from 77,78 F over night to 79, 80 during the day. I admit a few weeks ago when i got them my heater was keeping my temps at around 83 -84 f.. the time when they were doing fine.

 

[syrinx]

I see no issue with the temp swing- and its not too cold. WOuld be easy enough to boost or lower to test. Corals also will shrink to lessen their surface area, for less light. Lets assume for a minute that the water change could have been the culprit. Maybe toss a chemipure or something in there in case of a contamination?

 

[reefer_man_mike]

alright well im testing iwht temperature first. I do have a bad a chemi pure in the back chamber, as well as a fuge with cheato. i dont know what to say about the lighting. They were fully open for a couple weeks. The only thing i did was break the rock they were on in half. As it was an awkward shape and was affecting placement.

 

[mels95yj]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8690427#post8690427 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefer_man_mike
OK well i found a pics that are similar to my problem. But no conclusion.

Healty Ric

That turns to this.

Hey, that's my post! I'm tagging along here also. BTW, mine still looks like that after two more days.

This brings up a question. How long should you let a coral sit in one spot before moving to another location? I keep seeing people say, "Try a different area, or move it to more light". However, I got told to leave it alone.

Mel

 

[reefer_man_mike]

Ok well i got my own pictures now.

Before

After

Before

After

I donno guys this sucks! My fish have Ich now.. pretty bad ich, Just last week i lost bob, My clownfish.

 

[reefer_man_mike]

Ok lets say they were splitting. would that cause them to shrivell up?

 

[syrinx]

They will definatly do the hokey pokey when splitting. And mine take what seems an inordinate amount of time to do it. When you posted the pic of the two mouthed one snorkling- i thought it was a splitter- then when you did your pics had same thought.....
esp with the fold and all changing.

 

[reefer_man_mike]

I should get new pictures. Their definetly splitting. I was pretty sure they werent dying as it was a constant state. This is actully great. I dont mind having more

 

[reefer_man_mike]

ok well i moved them up to get more light. I cant say iv really seen any changes.

 

[reefer_man_mike]

updated pic on the strecher.

Has no one ever had this problem before? I dont understand. No ones officallialy said that its fine. It would be nice to get more in put please.