Coral sick - need help!

Big Dave · 08-12-2002, 01:24 PM

I bought an encrusting hydnophora last week. A couple days ago I noticed it started to lose flesh in the middle of the plate. It has continued to get worse. I saw some hydroids on my glass this weekend too. Could they have cause this irritation or an infestion on my hydro. What can I do? All my levels are great in the tank. Is there something I can try??? I don't want to lose this awesome coral!

Thanks for the help!!

-Big Dave

Big Dave · 08-12-2002, 05:37 PM

Hey guys - I know somebody has to have an idea to help. All other corals and fish look awesome. I don't have any fish or crabs that would be picking at it.
Here are my params...
pH - 8.3
salin - 1.025
calcium - 450
phos - .2 (if that)
dkh - 10
temp - goes between 77-80F

The only thing that may have happened was I had to catch a fish and nicked it. Would this cause it to start to melt down? The outer rim looks fine. It's melting down in the middle area. Thanks agian!

-Big Dave

MontanaRocknReefer · 08-12-2002, 09:32 PM

Hey Big Dave! This is what I found out about the coral. Many people have reported different species form this family having a major recession after a month or so in captivity. Every Hydophora has gone through this period, about 30-45 days in the tissue started dying back rapidly. This particular coral the hobbyist cut into the good tissue separating it from the bad and stopping the progession. Coupled with some dips in diluted Lugo's Strong Iodine He was able to stop this infection and a year later the coral grew tremendously. Don't know if this will help or not! Johnny

DennisW · 08-13-2002, 01:03 AM

Dave,

Sorry to hear about that coral. It is a beauty!

What kind of current is it in? I know that hydnophoras prefer a little current pushing across them to stay happy. You also want to start the coral low in your tank. I dont know of ANY tank at Caye's that has ANY amount of light to speak of (on purpose by the way

). I would put the coral on the bottom of the tank or in some shade and see what happens.

Are you seeing any of the acontia (sp?)? This is the stringy white crap like what comes out the middle of a shroom when its upset. Hydnophoras do this also. Aside from the above mentioned things, I would probably do an iodine dip. If the recession gets going too bad, I would frag it. There's also the little superglue trick where you do an iodine dip then seal off the good tissue from the bad tissue with a bead of super glue gel.

Good Luck and keep us posted!

Dennis

Big Dave · 08-13-2002, 11:18 AM

Thanks for the ideas Johnny and Dennis!

I have never done an iodine dip. Are there instructions on the bottle? Do I mix it a certain percentage of water and iodine? Let me know what you guys know! This coral is about a foot across so consider that too. Thanks!

-Big Dave

PS - Dennis, I may have you come over and help me frag this if it comes to that.... hope not, but we'll see how it goes.

chewie · 08-13-2002, 11:50 AM

Hey Dave,

I have done Lugols dips before, The directions are on the bottle.

I have a bottle of it that I have had for a year and i don't think I'll use it all in the next few years.

If you don't have Lugols and you want to do the dip let me know I'll give you the amount you need.

Can you snap a pic?

Jon

Big Dave · 08-13-2002, 12:30 PM

Sounds good chew!

I don't have a pic of the tissue receding. I have one on my camera but left it at home. I just moved into a new house and the phones are all screwed up, so I have no internet at home right now. I think I'm gonna get that ATT cable modem. I heard it's just screaming fast!! But anyways, enough rambling... maybe we can set up a time to hook up and do this dip. Maybe if some others from the club want to help/watch that would be cool too. I live in Gresham so it depends on whos close to this side of town. See ya!

-Big Dave