open brain coral tissue loss

[kelly3341]

I have an open brain coral that developed a spot where the tissue died/pulled back/necrosed. Any Ideas on how to stop further loss?

 

[kelly3341]

low flow, metal halide/power compact, water is fine

 

[cgill311]

What size tank, what wattage MH, and how far below the ligts is the brain? It might be getting too much light.

LPS can be upset in higher flow conditions than they like. I almost lost a plate for that very reason but have managed to regrow it.

Please provide more general information on your tank, equipment, and water parameters.

 

[jgoal55]

one more thing to consider is how close to rocks or sharp edges you have him placed.....because they open and move their tissue as much as they do (when healthy) they can sometimes rub up against rock edges and cut their tissue.....that said, the best place to have him is on your substrate not on the rock work.......

gluck with him....they are one of my favorite corals....

 

[kelly3341]

He is on the bottom substrate-can't detect any sweepers/sharp edges. I have a 100 gallon tank about 1.5 feet deep. Lights are outer-orbit 150watt hqi with power compact atinic florecents. I have not detected fish biting it. My initial thoughts are that when I bought it about 4 months ago, it got damaged during the trip, allowing algae to colonize the exposed skeleton. Now the spot seems to be growing. I will try to move it to indirect light to see if it helps. Is there any additive beyone iodine that anyone thinks could help? I will try to post a pic soon.

 

[cgill311]

kelly3341;38643 wrote: My initial thoughts are that when I bought it about 4 months ago, it got damaged during the trip, allowing algae to colonize the exposed skeleton. Now the spot seems to be growing.

Plate corals have a difficult time fighting off algae once its grown on the bare skeletons. I imagine it's the same for your open brain coral. Try moving it to a shaded area like you suggested. Also check your phosphate and nitrates (food for algae) to make sure they're both zero.

Are you spot feeding your corals? If so, how often?

 

[kelly3341]

I occasionally feed them mysis shrimp
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[washowi]

Frag it....and don't feed it. I have had a Trach for 3 years. Never fed it once. when you feed the tank it will get what it needs/ Mine swells up like a ballon during the day.

Frag the bad stuff away. Get a wet saw and cut it off.

 

[kelly3341]

enjoy
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[ouling]

well you know, alot of fish really, really like to bit those open brain corals... if you know your fish is 100% not biting it, do a MASSIVE water change, and leave add only trace elements. Too much iodine does no good.

 

[jgoal55]

What about an iodine dip? this is not a suggestion, more a question for my knowledge and everyone else's?