What is wrong with my coral..?

[Kona26]

I am not sure if this is the place to ask my question but I wasn't sure....dose anyone know what is going on with this coral..? It has turned purple in color and no extension in that section anymore. Looks like it is dead..? Please if I need to ask this question in another forum section let me know

 

[Shane C.]

The color of the pic is super blue, so its hard to tell but I think purple is the "skin" that the polyps use for protection. Its the same stuff that under all the other polyps that are open. Why those ones are closed - Hard to tell but with all the other ones open, I would say some type of local irritation. Is there something nipping at that location, burrowing under it, bristle worm or star living under it there, any other things that could be physically bothering it? How long since that section has opened? Is it spreading or contained only to that one area? Any other corals having problems?

 

[Kona26]

there are bristle worms around it...I do not know if they are under it...I would assume so...that is the biggest section....and no extension for about a week. there are also some smaller spots as well. that is the only one that is doing it...I have another one on a diff rock. So I would say its spreading...I have only noticed it the last few days. It is not the same color as the rest of the coral..its much darker.

 

[Shane C.]

Any difference in the condition of the coral? If not, you might (if possible) consider cutting off the part that is doing poorly and removing it from the tank. The healthy stuff will grow back down in no time... I would even cut up a little into the healthy stuff to make sure you get whatever may be causing the problem.