The attack of the killer Bubble

[MrMikeB]

Hey all,

Over the holiday, I had the misfortune of having one of my crabs knock over a beautiful Bird's Nest frag (approximately 2-3" x 2 branches) into a rather vibrant and large bubble coral. The Bubble grabbed on with a couple of its tentacles and when I found it was definitely not showing it much love. I imagine the Birds Nest was there for about an hour before being rescued. This AM, I noticed the side of the BN that was in contact with the Bubble is now almost completely bare of the fine polyps and looks bleached/white on that side. Is there any hope for this guy? Any recommendations on how to help it out? Before the attack, the BN was growing rather nicely and beautifully colored - quickly becoming one of my favorites.

Many thanks in advance for your wisdom!

P.S. The crab was dealt with accordingly.

 

[Sk8r]

If you have a low incidence of algae in your tank, the piece may recoat its damaged area before any algae gets in the way. It also depends on the health and vigor of the specimen. I have a blue acro that's really good at regrowth, and digi and poci in general can regrow.

 

[MrMikeB]

If the past is an indication of vigor, I would say that it is great for this particular piece. Algae (brown and light green) due to not having a RO/DI unit (until now) has been light to moderate in the tank. Is there anything prescriptive that you can recommend to assist in this regrowth process or this one of those things that will work itself out in due time under normal conditions?

 

[Justin74]

Not much other than maintaining good waterquality. Also make sure that it is not in a low flow area so algae will have a harder time establishing. Because the skeleton is so porous this is very hard to do as it starts to act as a filter. I would prune back at least an inch away from the remaining tissue after a couple days though. Birdsnest arent much for encrusting. They will innitially but for the most part just continue to grow out as opposed to on, so any skeleton wont really get new life over it; morelife will come from the remaining live parts and grow around, over, through, etc.

In my experience totall damage cant be asessed until a couple days though, like 2 or 3 at least.

-Justin

 

[MrMikeB]

Ok, I will keep a vigilant watch and send a pic in after a couple of days. The frag is so small as it is, so there is not much to prune. I sure hopes it pulls through...

 

[MrMikeB]

Update

Update

Here are a couple shots as of this morning. The polyps have not extended (which are more a vibrant green) It does not look good and I fear the worst. Please help save my birds nest!

 

[edsimmons]

Ouch! I did'nt know it was that bad! let's go to AUQAMAN's this weekend and get a new one +++++

 

[Nu2SW]

I told mike, to try and cut above the pars turning white on the most front frag. The back one is toast.

Can he save the Front by cutting it and sticking it on another frag piece.

 

[MrMikeB]

Do these things 'slime over?' The front one has brown slime head to toe that looks very much like algae, but I am not sure it is. The pictures kind of shows it, but I have noticed it a little worse now.

*sigh*... such a heartbreaker.