Toadstool help please

[caraudiowiz]

My toadstool seems to have stopped opening up about 2 days after I got it. I know they shed or molt. But it has not opened up in almost a month. And now almost looks like algae is growing on it? It has random current across the front of it... I can turn up lighting if need be...

Just don't want to kill it if its not already gone. It is erect and not dropping and sways from current. You can see in 1 of the pics where some of the crusty stuff on it has come off, but still no polyp extension in that spot. Any help or ideas is greatly appreciated!

Tank perimeters are good. All is inline for what it should want or need.

 

[Dkuhlmann]

It's going to shed. Nothing to worry about this is part of the life cycle of them. Mine is just about finished now doing the same thing. It's how they grow and rid themselves of algae and other things on them.

 

[cloak]

If this thing hasn't opened up in a month something is definitely wrong IMO. What exactly are your parameters? Do they remain steady or are they bouncing around a lot? (Alkalinty in particuliar) If anything, you might want to increase the flow around the coral and see what happens. These corals really seem to appreciate A LOT of chaotic water movement. It helps with the shedding process and perks them up a little. GL.

 

[Dkuhlmann]

Sorry, I missed the month part. Ya something isn't right with parameters I'd also guess. My toadstool likes moderate flow and medium light.

When shedding it only lasts 1-3 days in most cases. I'd check your water parameters then do a 10-20% water change and see if it doesn't pick up a bit. Just make sure it's got some decent flow. Leather toadstools are pretty tough.

 

[caraudiowiz]

thanks for replies. its been close for about 3 weeks, owned it for a month. Water perimeters are stable and where they need to be. I will up the flow and angle my powerhead more directly on it. all my other corals in same tank are fine. The crusty algae stuff covering it is odd. If I hit it with a bit of extra flow from turkey baster it lifts up and it looks like very white bleached skin under it. And the white skin comes off a bit and into water column.

 

[Dkuhlmann]

It's trying to shed and more than likely doesn't have enough flow to complete the prcess. Yes give it more flow but not too much. They don't like a lot of flow just moderate. Mine finished shedding today after starting on Thursday night when the lights ramped down at 5pm.

Don't do the turkey baster just let the flow of the tank do it.

 

[cloak]

If your going to give the coral more flow you don't really want to point a power head directly at it. You almost want to have it in the middle where two power heads converge. The chaotic water movement is the key IME. With a secure base, these stalks/trunks that they have were designed to withstand a lot of random current.

On a side note, I'm not exactly sure what you meant by a "white skin coming off," (hopefully it's just shedding) but if your seeing what looks like a chalky residue come off the coral this is not good. It might be due to Necrosis or something similar. These corals have been known to just come apart and melt right before ones eyes. GL.

 

[Dkuhlmann]

If your going to give the coral more flow you don't really want to point a power head directly at it. You almost want to have it in the middle where two power heads converge. The chaotic water movement is the key IME. With a secure base, these stalks/trunks that they have were designed to withstand a lot of random current.

On a side note, I'm not exactly sure what you meant by a "white skin coming off," (hopefully it's just shedding) but if your seeing what looks like a chalky residue come off the coral this is not good. It might be due to Necrosis or something similar. These corals have been known to just come apart and melt right before ones eyes. GL.

If you're talking to me then yes it was shedding. Hopefully due to lack of flow is why the op's didn't shed and that is what is actually going on. The pictures don't show necrosis IMO just a leather toadstool that is about to shed.

Mine is bigger and better than before the shed.

 

[scooter31707]

my 2 cents, I think it does need more flow, because that looks like algae due to the lack of flow.

 

[youcallmenny]

IME more flow and less light. I cut mine into 5 forces when i got it. All but one did what you are describing. That one lives in the display, the others went in the sump where they colored back up.

 

[stu1]

Just an idea might be worth while checking salinity. Do you use a refractometer or hydrometer.

 

[borg]

I have had mine for around 3 weeks as well it opened up first few days looking good and then did the same thing closed up , has a shiny sheen on it like wax coating but it has stayed closed.

Its structure is solid and is not melting in any way and my other corals are doing great. I haven't touched it and just let it be as most posts seem to indicate not to mess with them as they are moody. I hopw it opens up soon i did a WC on the weekend to encourage it to emerge hopefully soon My elegance coral is the extremely happy and is semi close probably 40cm away so i hope they are not intefering which each others personal space...

I really want to try different spots incase its a flow/lighting issue but have not done this yet.

 

[scooter31707]

Borg, in your case it's probably getting ready to shed which softies do. They will close up for several days and when they open back up they are pretty as ever.

 

[borg]

Yep shed yesterday

http://postimg.org/image/ca6h702l1