Scoly problem!!

[gregzz4]

Jess is there enough base to break it up with something ? Not to destroy it, but enough to dig around inside the skeleton from the bottom and look for imbedded worms
This was how I saved my Acans
I busted the base up and then dipped it

[Wheelman76]

I don't have any shrimps in my tank , I might be able to chip away at the bottom of the skeleton with bone cutters. There are so many holes in the flesh now that I'm scared to move it too much , especially flip it upside down to chip away at the skeleton. I'm hoping the dip in coral rx got rid of all the worms , but I guess I can't be sure without busting into the skeleton.

[Wheelman76]

The strangest thing is that the scoly looks fairly happy other than the holes everywhere. Definitely not as expanded as normal but it doesn't look rotten or too upset. But last night there was only one hole and by this morning the holes were everywhere so its getting worse quick.

[gregzz4]

I wasn't thinking about using bone cutters
Just turn it over and dig around with a very small screwdriver
Dig/twist some small holes here and there, and then dip it
This will allow the dip to penetrate to anyone who may be inside

Just my thoughts and do so at your own risk

[Wheelman76]

I might try that , thanks Greg

[MitchM]

Regular bristle worms are scavengers, not predators.
If there were regular bristle worms present, then they would be consuming flesh that was already dying.
Double check all your water parameters and that the coral is not in an area of too much flow.

If you do happen to observe any more worms, try to identify them with this page:
http://www.chucksaddiction.com/hitchworms.html

I suspect that this scoly is a goner, hopefully you can identify what or who is causing this and prevent any further losses.

[gregzz4]

Originally Posted by MitchM

I suspect that this scoly is a goner

Is this based on experience ?

[MitchM]

The rate of deterioration, mainly. Years ago I may have lost a large LPS in a similar manner. I don't remember exactly.

I only know of Wheelman's tank based on these pictures, but I see that he has a fairly coarse substrate.
Maybe the coral was rocking back and forth with water movement which irritated the flesh that wrapped under the skeleton. That flesh decayed, bristle worms started eating and wound up eating the coral from the inside out.
Maybe that's why we're seeing holes in the flesh even though it's in a protective cage.
Maybe it's a predatory worm, too.

[JohnnyReeftank]

That strange jelly underneath the scoly in the first pic of this thread must be some sort of indicator of what's going on.....too much coincidence for that stuff to randomly show up and then the holes...anyone seen that stuff before?

[Borderjumper]

I've lost a couple over the years. Mine did exactly as yours is doing. I wasn't able to save them. Sucks loosing one as they aren't cheap. I guess thats the risk with basically one big polyp..