Problems with toadstool..please help.

[turfgrass]

I've had this toadstool since Saturday and it seemed to be doing well until yesterday morning. Afterwork yesterdau I noticed that the polyps were not extended and did not for the entire evening. Today the situation continues. This toadstool looked great and was fully extended for the four days prior. Should something be gone, such as change flow or raise height in tank. Right now it is at the bottom of a 33 gallon with 220 watts of VHO. The flow is low. Here is the pix. Thanks.

 

[NateHanson]

Is that yellow spot on the right side of the picture a discoloration on the coral? Is it new? Could be an infection, maybe?

 

[clamm]

Nate, dont they also shed every once in a while? When they do that I thought they usually didn't extend for a day or so...anyone know for sure?

 

[NateHanson]

Good point. I think you're right about the shedding. Still, keep an eye on that yellow spot, especially if it turns dark.

 

[ScottM]

chances are its just adjusting to its new home.
Very common for them to "shed" or slime over when stressed from a move, new lighting or a water quality change. give it a few days, it will come back. that yellow spot does look like tissue damage. common if debris collects on them. waste can actually burn a hole right thru them.

 

[turfgrass]

The day I got it the polyps were extended and that spot was not visible. Once home and in the tank I noticed it and was worried. It looked like it was attacked, because there is some tissue gone. There was also some algae growing in that spot. After a day or two I removed the algae with a turkey baster. Since then I think the spot has been closing. It seems better anyway. But the spot didn't seem to bother the polyps until yesterday.

 

[clamm]

I think its probably just new. I have had some go in and take a week to open and others put in the same day opened that day. Keep an eye on that spot and keep removing algae as you see it. but i think you will be fine in a week or so.

 

[turfgrass]

The funny thing is that it was open for the first few days. Now it closed up.

 

[Jim Tansey]

Mine does that often, I got it as a small frag its now about 6-7 inches across and very healthy it will retract its polyps a couple times a week.

Jim

 

[turfgrass]

Jim,

Does it retract for long periods of time. Mine was doing it for very short periods until now.

 

[Jim Tansey]

Mostly a matter of hours but yours being new in the tank it may retract for longer periods, If it is firm with an upright posture as opposed to soft stemmed and falling over my guess its ok.

Jim

 

[turfgrass]

On a different board a member said they dislike phosphate removing resins. Anyone heard of that. I'm using a poly filter pad now. Not sure if I should remove it.

 

[starrfish]

Matt - mine does the same thing - I've had it for about a year. When the polyps retract I often notice yellow spots like the one you have - I wouldn't worry. I notice that mine will retract more often if the salinity creeps up (this happens to me after water changes when I don't keep a close eye on the exact water level). What is your SG? If you notice the toadstool shedding a layer of slime, make sure you turkey baste it off. If the slime stays on, you could risk infection. Mine will stay extended for weeks at a time (except at night of course), then go for a day or two with no polyps. Given that yours is new in your tank, I am not surprised that it's not polyping all the time. He's just getting used to the new parameters.

 

[JohnK]

this all looks and sounds quite normal as others have said. When my common sarco sheds it usually will have it's polyps retracted for a few days. It will also look a bit waxy on the surface (which I think I'm seeing in your pic).

As for the little spot, keep it clean and it should heal. If it seems to get any worse I have had very good luck treating bacterial infections on sarco elegans (bright yellow figi leather, which are a lot more prone to infections than the common sarco's) by doing daily lugols dips for 3-5 days.

Don't worry unless you see tissue turning black, rotting, or the whole thing seems to collapse.

 

[Clam Man]

have you turned your lights off and on for any reason while they were running they seem really light sensitive.check your amonia

 

[objectfire]

Just wanted to add that my toadstool leather seems to do fine in higher flow, as well as lower flow. Has not really had any of the episodes that you are describing since I added a Red Sea Wavemaster Pro and it occasionally gets caught in the interference pattern from two powerhead currents.

Kent

 

[turfgrass]

The lights have been fine. No sudden on/off...Ammonia is fine.....I'll check the salinity today.

 

[turfgrass]

For a 33 gallon it has 220 watts of VHO....6.6 watts per gallon...Is it ok to have on the bottom or should I move it up some. Also, if it is slim/shedding should it be moved to higher flow? Thanks.

I checked the salinity and seems fine.

 

[starrfish]

Matt - I would keep it on the bottom given your lighting. If it starts to shed, don't move it - just take a turkey baster and squirt the excess "skin" from it. I'm sure it will be fine.