Sick Colt Coral...any help appreciated!

Chaloupa · #1 05-31-2006, 12:41 AM

I have had this colt for several months...I have 2-1 that is very large that extends his polyps all the time and then this one, it routinely gets white patches and looks like it is melting, it NEVER extends its polyps...here is some info on my system
65 gallon hex reef, Remora C Pro skimmer, 18 gallon custom sump, Phosban reactor, 80lbs live rock, 10 or so in sump, water change every 14 days with RO/DI water and Seachem reef salt, lighting is a Coralife Aqualight Pro with a 150...coral is about 18 inches below light (the other colt is just about 1" higher) there are no corals touching it or in the direct vicinity of it
Params;
SG 1.025
pH 8.2
Temp 83+ (just got my chiller and am hooking it up BUT the coral does this routinely when temps are OK)
Mag 1200+
Cal 320-350
Alk 10-11
lighting is on for 12+ hours (PC's) and the halide is on for about 6-7 hours

I appreciate anyone who has any help...thanks for looking! Sarah

marie · #2 05-31-2006, 01:14 AM

Have you looked closely for nudibranches? They can blend in real well

christyf5 · #3 05-31-2006, 01:34 AM

I agree, most likely a softy eating nudibranch. It will look almost exactly like the coral itself. Also, have a look with a flashlight at night, they're a little more daring under cover of darkness.

The white one below is similar to the one I had (I thought my colt was reproducing, then one night I found it moving along the front glass).

Taken from the medslugs.de website. Tritoniopsis elegans/frydis

christyf5 · #4 05-31-2006, 01:37 AM

Hi again,

Have a look at the area I circled in red. It sort of looks different from the rest of the coral. Perhaps the nudibranch??

Good luck!

Chaloupa · #5 05-31-2006, 03:05 AM

K guys...if I have a Nudibranch causing the trouble...how do I treat for it? THANKS so much too, I really appreciate the input!

christyf5 · #6 05-31-2006, 03:16 AM

I just yarded mine off the coral. Perhaps remove the coral first if you can, if not, just better off getting it out of there before it does more damage IMO.

i have crabs · #7 05-31-2006, 04:11 AM

now im trippin ive been having trouble with 2 colts and a toadstool for the last 3 months,now im gonna have to check them out real good