Pussy Coral Damaged

[oakwell]

I have noticed today that my large pussy coral has been damaged.

Looks like something has been pecking at it and is in quite a bad way with bits falling off it and blowing around the tank.

I suspect my bi-coloured angel and wondered if anyone can suggest any ways of stopping it.

I say i suggest the bi-colour because the wife has noticed it pecking at other corals.

I also have some tangs in the tank too but cant see them doing this as they eat like pigs.

The bi-coloured gets a decent amount of food but admitably not as much as the tangs as they hussle him out.

Many thanks

[Macca]

On the critter side of things do you keep emeralds?

If you have introduced any new livestock watch out for small white nudi that love to eat pussy corals.

http://www.seaslugforum.net/images/030465.jpg

James

PS Is it that big piece you have in your tank :eek:

[oakwell]

yes james it the big piece
Not really added anything in a month or so and i have no emeralds in either.

At a loss tbh

[liquidlogic]

hmmmm. have u had a look after a few hours after lights out ?

[oakwell]

thats the plan, i will have to see if i catch the culprit.

Its my longest standing coral would be gutted if i loose it.

Hope fully its the bi-colour and he will get bored of doing it

[Macca]

does the coral have any necrotic tissue? Is the rest of the animal full of life??

Where abouts is the splitting occuring - at the polyps , stems etc? And can you upload a photo of the damage.

James

[oakwell]

Where the coral is damaged it was disovling in to water when i moved it, however i have removed some of the damaged tissue and is looking a little better.

There looks to be like nip marks on the coral and just looked at the other pussy coral at other end of tank and that too has some small nips on it however really small compared to the bigger coral and they are near the pollyps.

The damage seems to be near the pollyped area and the stalk of the coral seems fine.

The coral itself is split into 2 main stalks but come the same coral if you know what i mean, with only one of the stalks been damaged.

If the problem gets any worse i am planning on cutting away the damaged stalk and movng to to my frag tank to see if things improve if not will cut away any damaged parts and try to frag what is left.

Will try and add some piccys tommorrow as lights now out

[Macca]

Are you sure this is not a salinity or a water paramter problem?

James

[oakwell]

doubt it james i have only took a water test other day all seemed well.
Nothing has really changed in tank and all other corals are 100%

Come down this morning and the half of the pussy coral that was damaged has got worse so i have cut it off from the stalk and got rid of it.

Will keep my eye on other stuff for a few days as i cant figure this on out !:confused:

[Macca]

Darren make sure you are running carbon. You dont have a leather that you have moved or some other soft coral that may be at war with this coral due to it getting / reaching into their territory.

I hate having to cut back large animals as you end up with a few little stumps. Sorry to hear this as this was a true centre piece in your tank.

Due to them inflating I would certainly make sure you are runing carbon. I am sorry but soft corals / corals are not my best subject hopefully we have someone else that can help if its not too late.

James

PS I would remove turn up my skimmer also.

[oakwell]

heres a piccy of the coral ...not great i'm afraid but my other pussy coral at the other end of the tank has some damage on too now as well

[oakwell]

ok update

I have completly cut back one of the pussy corals(smaller one) and make frags from this cutting off any bad bits.

The bigger one i have cut back to beyond the damage and will monitor progress.

James regarding the carbon, can i just run some in an internal fluval like i do in my frag tank?

Also thanks for the advice eric(tangman) as usual you where on hand to help

Thanks to all for there advice much appreciated and fingers crossed!

[Tangman]

No Problem Daz only happy to help m8. Eric

[oakwell]

I AM STILL HAVING PROBLEMS!!

Please someone try to help me on this i am at a loss.

The pussy coral has now been trimmed to a tenth of its size and it looks like the problem has stopped with this, however another coral is now showing signs of damage next to the pussy coral.

Its going white and then greyish where the white has been then bits are falling off it i will try and post a piccy.

Not sure what to do should i cut back these bits making the corals smaller or leave them to heal themselves ?

Also can anyone id the coral? if u look closly its the white bits on the coral that are the concern to date i have not seen anything picking at it and look at previous replys for stock