Toadstool problem. Crabs ok?

[nforgione]

Hello All-

I have a toadstool leather that has been great n the tank, however, recently it hasnt been opening like it normally does. Also, I've noticed some scars or scrathes on the edges of the coral, and the hermits have been all over it. Are the crabs harming the coral? water checked and everything okay. theres also a film thats being excreted from the coral as well.

 

[Phyl]

Leathers will go through periods of shedding. During the time that they are shedding they suck in all their polyps and generally don't "open up again" until after they have shed their outer layer of skin. This is how they grow. If it is simply shedding making sure they have good flow will help the process (stagnant water inhibits shedding). When they are done shedding their polyps should be out like normal. As long as their skin is taunt they should be fine.

Stress events (moving, water change, etc) sometimes cause these shedding events. Other times it happens just for growth purposes.

 

[calaxa]

How long can they go without opening? Mine didn't open for over 9 days so I decided to frag it. One half didn't survive. Other still hasn't opened since fragging (3 weeks now). It's still taut but now half the size.

 

[Candi]

When we moved to NJ from MI my original was so stressed it didn't open for well over a month, I was sure I was going to lose it, however it never got "mushy" so everyone told me to leave it be. Eventually it opened up again and went crazy from then out (growing).