Sun Coral 'Web'

[MatthewLaw]

Greetings All- I just purchased a Sun Coral frag and things appear to be going well. I noticed that there appears to be a 'web like' veil over the frag. Should I delicately take it off or is this not an issue? THanks!

 

[TheH]

Can you get a picture? Some corals release a slime coat when stressed, I didn't know that sun coral did this though.

 

[livingcorals]

I few things could be the reason for the web like veil. As TheH stated pics would help out the most in getting a better answer for ya.

Stress released from the sun coral, or you might have a Vermitid Snail next to it....

 

[MatthewLaw]

Thanks for your quick responses. here are a few pictures. the frag was glued (using reef glue) to a larger piece of LR.

here is the bottom of the frag

Frag itself

 

[aninjaatemyshoe]

Just a little bit of slime, I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[MatthewLaw]

thanks for the help. that stub at the right bottom of the frag seems may be the source but i am really not sure.

 

[livingcorals]

Does that stub (as sun coral) or something else?
Not seeing the slime here..

Check out http://image05.webshots.com/5/0/66/13/107506613DlLLiO_ph.jpg

Just to make sure

 

[MatthewLaw]

i clicked on your link and the page would not open

 

[livingcorals]

This should work. sorry.
otherwise google search, Vermetid Snail

http://www.pirx.com/gallery/mollusks/verm2

 

[MatthewLaw]

hm,mm it does look similar to the link you posted. what do you suggest i do about this possible hitchhiker?

 

[livingcorals]

Not saying I'm one for really killing however when I had a few next to my leathers and zoanthids I did kill them. Since you have the option of it just being on a frag/ small rock pull the rock out and scrape it off. It does have a hard shell just crack it a few times than pull it off.

 

[MatthewLaw]

if it will destroy my frag, then sacrifcing a snail isnot so bad!

how did you destroy the shell? can i poke the insides (
where the web is coming out of) and then basicaly pick out what's inside?

thanks for your help!! do you suggest i do this NOW or can it wait 12 hours?

 

[livingcorals]

You can wait the 12 hours. The sun might not come out today tho
A few ideas you can try here. Super glue the top. Get the 2part epoxy and use that or just take pliers and just pinch it than pull it out or what you can get.

 

[MatthewLaw]

interesting suggestions. interestingly the sun is out right now. some are relatively open while others just show that 'early opening red spot'

do you usually keep a low or medium flow towards these corals? most of my flow is on the upper 2/3 of the tank.

 

[livingcorals]

I have a frag myself. I have it with just med flow to that area. With also very little light.

 

[MatthewLaw]

i am using the normal aquarium lights (20w), which is a main reason why i purchase this frag. Do you direct your flow at the direction of the frag or just ABOVE?

 

[livingcorals]

I have an outtake going in its direction but hitting the glass first than going from there. Just enough to see it move a little.

 

[Kreeger1]

I would cover over the vermid snail tube with super glue so they don't spread throughout your tank as well. Pests I tell ya

 

[MatthewLaw]

I understand! How are you feeding this frag? I am turning off all my powerheads, and basicallly trying to feed each 'head' (polyp?) I feed my fish BEFORE feeding the coral but still put a plastic cup OVER the coral so it has time to absorb all the food. I tried the dropper method but it seemed to squirt too must around. I think the more tedious tweezer method may be better.


Also do you have any other frags in your tank similar to this one?

Thanks for all the help!!!

 

[MatthewLaw]

regarding the super glue method, can I just use the reef glue that i purchased? Take the coral out of the tank, squirt some in the hole, let it set for about 30 secs, put back in tank?