Hammer Coral Not Looking Good

murphy · 06-19-2002, 11:54 PM

I came home tonight and noticed my hammer was not fully extended like normal. In fact, he was excreting this slimy substance (similar to an anemone, but more)...almost like he disintegrating. I have no idea what is going on, my water parameters are all normal no ammonia, no nitrites, ph approx. 8.1, SG 1.025, calcium 400-450, temp approx 80 – may fluctuates during the day depending on the outside temp, but not beyond 82. Everyone else is fine. I am truly worried, is this normal or am I losing him. The only recent change in the tank was a 10 percent water change. Any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated. It would be sad to lose him.

m3rma1d · 06-20-2002, 11:11 AM

you know, i gotta tell ya i have no idea.....

but i'm gonna try & bump this up to the top for someone to see it who may help you

Casey · 06-20-2002, 02:30 PM

Mine did the same thing and slowly died not sure but I think it is a bacterial infection they just get sometimes,I have decided hammer coral need well established tanks and are hard to keep.

GeorgeAmos · 06-21-2002, 01:40 AM

What Kind of hammer is it - branchy or columner. The branchy are much easier to keep. My LFS (one of the few good ones out there) won't buy or stock the columner ones, because he always loses them. I have one of both and my branchy one is huge. My columner one has slimed off half. Right now he has stopped sliming about a week ago, and I'm crossing my fingers because he is huge. I bought him before I knew about die off of the columner ones (and from another LFS - not as reputable). Know it may not be anything you're doing wrong. Maybe someone more knowledgeable can help, but maybe this helps a little. Good Luck!!

DennisW · 06-21-2002, 02:08 AM

It's probably just dumping some zoozantalle. I know LPS corals will COMPLETLEY shrink up then long slimy strands of brown "goo" will come out. They do this from time to time if thats what it is. Wouldnt worry...should be back to normal before long.

HTH
Dennis

murphy · 06-21-2002, 10:21 AM

Thanks for all the info and help. He is actually doing fine now. He is the branching type and is green. Dennis your described it exactly right - He did shrink up then long slimy strands of brown "goo" will came out. It just freaked me out because I have never seen it before.

Thanks

djp · 06-25-2002, 05:02 PM

Do a water change. I've had that happen with mine, and even had a piece of it die off... until someone on another board told me to do an emergency water change. It's been fine since.

Allyson · 06-26-2002, 11:04 AM

I've noticed that my softies (open brain, bubble & frogspawn) all go through stages where they shrink back & "poop" every so often. They always come back beautifully.

I don't stress anymore when my corals look bad for a few hours or even a day. One bunch of Anthelia (which is very hardy) shrank back to almost nothing for 2 days & looked like it was disentigrating after being stung by the colt & I had decided I would pull it the next morning so as not to pollute the tank...and voila...it was looking happy again the next morning, and improved gradually over the next few days.

Do you target feed your hammer small pieces of food occaisonally? They do like it!

murphy · 06-26-2002, 11:50 AM

I actually did do a water change, as it was that time. Regardless, he is actually doing great again. It was just really odd. I do target feed him once a week. He is slow to the take, so I turn all the power heads off, toss in a clam or two to occupy the hermits and, especially, the ever so greedy cleaner shrimp. Even the Hippo Tang tries to snatch his food. It’s the funniest thing, he swims up real close and either blows water on him or swims really fast back and forth to dislodge the food. The poor hammer would have a chance if I were not there to help.

djp · 06-26-2002, 06:16 PM

What are you target feeding with and how big/small are the pieces? I've never done that. Thanks.

John

murphy · 06-26-2002, 06:35 PM

Quote:

What are you target feeding with and how big/small are the pieces? I've never done that.

I feed a couple of things. Once a week I feed him, including my other corals (mushrooms, polyps, leather, xenia) Coralife Invertebrate Target Food, I use the long tube and syringe they supplied. Its a liquid with a bunch of stuff.

Also, once a week I give him some frozen brine, as I said he is slow to the take and have to fend off the other critters, but he takes them in...similar to an anemone, but much much slower.