toadstool, dying or just ugly?

[Beemo]

i got a brown toadstool last week, put it on a top rock in medium flow (koralia #4) not directed at it.
it took a few days to show any polyp expansion but it wasnt much, just little tips showing.
since then it hasnt shown any more polyp expansion and has taken on a "scabby" look.
it still appears firm, and is standing upright.
there are no corals next to it, infact the next coral is about 25" away, a finger leather bought at the same time that looks great, all its polyps are out.
ammonia 0, nit 0, nitrate around 5ppm or less. temp 78, ph 8.4
lighting is 4x95 power compacts. tank is 220 gallons, bare bottom.
no fish nip at it. a pair of neon gobies have claimed it their spot though, they sit on it often, not sure if these tiny fish can do damage ?
is it just shedding? waxy look? i dunno those scabs just dont look right

 

[Beemo]

43 veiws??? anyone??

 

[crispyreef]

Your right, it doesnt look good. But it doesn't look dead. You could try moving it. If fish are sitting on it then that will make it retract its polyps. If it never gets a chance to open up then it will die.

 

[crispyreef]

Also, give it time. I had a sarcophyton not open up for 2 months and is now doing great. I still don't know what caused it.

 

[michaeltwana]

Try some direct flow. Not pummeling it, you should be able to just wipe off that mucus layer, that is probably all it is anyway. Try moving it like crispy said. It sometimes takes a very long time for these guys to open up--again what he said.

 

[pIankton]

Looks like it's "waxing". Sloughing off some tissue. I wouldn't worry too much.

 

[Beemo]

i put more flow on it, not direct but more than it had.
i also touched it to see if it was mushy, and no it still does have some firmness to it.
so those lil scabs are "wax"?
i tried to pick one off and it wouldnt budge

 

[natan]

The brown spots look like parasitic flatworms to me.

 

[Beemo]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11174726#post11174726 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by natan
The brown spots look like parasitic flatworms to me.

oh great

ya know im getting fed up with live aquaria
they have been great the past three years, all my orders have been perfect.
the past few months ive had some pretty bad shipments.
crapola :mad2:

 

[jhempel]

I wouldn't worry too much. These are extremely hardy and need moderate flow to help remove the mucus layer used to clean itself. The better the flow, the quicker the process occurs. I have two of these leathers and they alternate cleaning cycles. Once it begins to open back up, slightly diminish the flow.

Hope this helps.

 

[michaeltwana]

without a better pic, I would wager a guess that they are not flat worms.

if you have an issue with live aquaria you should call them rather than talk about it here though. just a thought.

like what has been said, these guys are tough...

a couple questions

what depth do you have it in your tank? what type of powerheads do you use? whats your GPH? what type of lighting do you have?

 

[Beemo]

the tank is 30" deep, im guessing the depth its at is about 20" below the surface
i use two koralia #4's, one on each side facing each other, but pointed down towards the rocks.
i'll take a better pic from a distance so you can see its placement.
i moved star polyps next to it so i can see how much flow the toad is getting, the star polyps are waving alot, so i imagine the toad is getting adequite flow.
the lighting is 4x95 pc lights on for 12-14 hours a day

oh, i did email live aquaria with the same pics i posted here.
they replied back saying thats the normal color of this toadstool

 

[michaeltwana]

they are right, they are not beautiful until mature and extended.

the pc's wont do it any justice either...nothing personal.

move it higher up towards the light and into the flow, again not direct, these things can take a beating and still do well.

here is mine

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd204/michaeltwana/1015070733_0001.jpg

not the best pic but....

this guy is right in the path of powerheads, but at her size she can take a beating too

 

[SoGoneRG]

you know...this maybe out there, but your lighting seems a bit weak if you ask me...220 gal and only 4x96w? I agree with MichaelTwana about moving it up...

 

[atblj5]

My leather looked the same, that is normal, if the fish or snails touch him he will close. I had to take the fish out to keep them from touching him. If you stop the fish, and no change then try water changes that worked for me . But the yellow and white spots are natural, it falls off after he opens up.
John

 

[Beemo]

ive kept a beautiful and huge toadstool under pc lighting for more than a year. i dont believe its the lighting.
if thats the case how come my other leathers in the same tank are fine??
its just a lemon. it looked like this right out of the bag. it showed tiny polyp nubs after a few days and that was it

 

[michaeltwana]

but there also are many types of toadies too. some with long polyp extension some not.....

and not all leathers are the same. sinularia are way different than toads are...

 

[atblj5]

water changes, will most likely work.

 

[atblj5]

When in doubt change water maybe 25%.

 

[crispyreef]

Just to add, those are not flatworms. Give it time. Nice pic Michael. Here is one of mine.