Help!!

[MadReefer]

I purchased this Green tyree from Candi and it did great for a week. I noticed a crab, some type of mithrax, bothering it. It took several days to catch the crab. The coral hasn't extended polyps in about 4 days now. You can see the chunks of flesh the crab tour off on the top of the pics. What can I do to save this coral?

Thanks
Mark

 

[Phyl]

It looks good. It isn't soft or mushy, right? Nice tight skin? Leathers do this "shedding" thing where they close up for a week or so and then (hopefully with good flow, but no additional stress of moving again) they shed their skin and extend (usually bigger) again. Try not to worry about it unless it feels mushy to the touch, starts falling apart or getting brown mush patches.

 

[blange3]

Good water conditions and good flow.

Check to make sure the flesh is still firm and not starting to decay.

Give it a squirt with a turkey baster now and then to keep it clean but don't bother it too much.


And Iill stop there 'cause Phyl beat me to the punch! ;D

 

[MadReefer]

Thanks, I haven't touched but will check it now and then. As for flow it should okay, the polyps swayed nicely when extended. I really hate that crab right now.

 

[REEFLECTIONS]

i saw that crab yesterday.... it was very mean looking...

 

[Phyl]

The stress of the tank change is just as likely as the crab to have caused the shedding event. They just do this. Don't be mad at the crab! ;D

 

[Hawkeye]

another crab? I thought you caught it with the net?

 

[MadReefer]

Same crab Phil.

 

[calaxa]

They can go a long time without opening. I got worried and fragged mine after it didn't open for 2 weeks. My main colony hasn't opened in over a month and yesterday it just started extending polyps again. This was because it was upset it fell down.

 

[MadReefer]

Guess I'm getting a bit panicky. Things were going so well and it is a very nice looking coral. I did blow ater across it and nothing came off and it appears to be rigid. So will have to wait and see.

 

[panmanmatt]

Mark as has been mentioned, it's not uncommon for leathers to close up for days or even weeks. Just keep an eye on it.

 

[NJ_ychung1]

agree with everyone. wait it out and make sure enough flow can take away the shedded skin. with flow and light it will pop out eventually.