SPS Parasite or other cause?

PlatinumPercula · 02/12/2012, 12:22 AM

I have a Seriatopora birdsnest coral and lately growth has been amazing and polyp extension is at its best. However it seems like overnight part of one of the coral's branches has missing tissue. The skeleton is exposed on a small section/patch. My water quality is optimal: pH 8.4, Nitrite 0, Nitrate 0, calcium 425, Ammonia 0, Temp 80 degrees F, SG 1.025 as per refractometer. I am wondering if there is some kind of parasite like a snail or other creature in the tank that ate part of the coral (my other birdsnest is fine as well as all my other corals). All of its polyps are retracted now and it looks as if it has a protective film over the entire coral now as defense. I have had this coral for about 1 month with no problems until now and like I said it seems it happened literally overnight. Any ideas? I have noticed a weird brown snail/slug in the tank that has a hard flat covering on part of its back and didn't know if it was parasitic? I mean I guess it doesn't hurt to remove anything unfamiliar.

Buzzword · 02/12/2012, 12:35 AM

Im not sure if it a parasite or not but I have had Birdsnests RTN in the matter of 2 days, for no apparent reason. Frag some branches now and hope for the best.
I believe the brown snail that you described is a Stometella snail, good CUC.

Reefmedic79 · 02/12/2012, 01:12 AM

What fish do you have in the tank? Any possible killers? Are there any decent sized LPS colonies within 6-8 inches from the coral?

PlatinumPercula · 02/12/2012, 04:55 PM

I have two True Perculas, just added a small Tailspot Blenny, and Two Sexy Anemone Shrimp. The closest corals are a Duncan/Whisker Coral that is about 3-4 inches away, the rest are all zoanthids.

PlatinumPercula · 02/25/2012, 04:33 PM

Just an update on my original post: The tissue has completely healed over and the coral looks better than ever. Such as weird thing to happen and I'm still not sure why it did. I'm just happy that it wasn't anything major!

karsseboom · 02/25/2012, 04:36 PM

It's rtn, that means the coral is dying. Watch it close and if it keeps progressing cut off the good part and frag it.

02/12/2012, 12:22 AM	#1
PlatinumPercula Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 14	SPS Parasite or other cause? I have a Seriatopora birdsnest coral and lately growth has been amazing and polyp extension is at its best. However it seems like overnight part of one of the coral's branches has missing tissue. The skeleton is exposed on a small section/patch. My water quality is optimal: pH 8.4, Nitrite 0, Nitrate 0, calcium 425, Ammonia 0, Temp 80 degrees F, SG 1.025 as per refractometer. I am wondering if there is some kind of parasite like a snail or other creature in the tank that ate part of the coral (my other birdsnest is fine as well as all my other corals). All of its polyps are retracted now and it looks as if it has a protective film over the entire coral now as defense. I have had this coral for about 1 month with no problems until now and like I said it seems it happened literally overnight. Any ideas? I have noticed a weird brown snail/slug in the tank that has a hard flat covering on part of its back and didn't know if it was parasitic? I mean I guess it doesn't hurt to remove anything unfamiliar.

02/12/2012, 01:12 AM	#3
Reefmedic79 Life and Reef Saver Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Tavares, Florida Posts: 6,202	What fish do you have in the tank? Any possible killers? Are there any decent sized LPS colonies within 6-8 inches from the coral? __________________ ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º>¸. ·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·.. ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º> How much deeper would the ocean be if it didn't have sponges? P. Sherman 42 Wallaby Way Sid Current Tank Info: 40 Breeder, 20L Sump, 10G Fuge, JBJ A.T.O, 4" Reef Octopus, DIY Stand & Canopy, RapidLED Dimmable 36 Kit on 3 6" MakersLED Heatsink, MP10es

02/12/2012, 12:35 AM	#2
Buzzword Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Satellite Beach, FL Posts: 275	Im not sure if it a parasite or not but I have had Birdsnests RTN in the matter of 2 days, for no apparent reason. Frag some branches now and hope for the best. I believe the brown snail that you described is a Stometella snail, good CUC.

02/12/2012, 04:55 PM	#4
PlatinumPercula Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 14	I have two True Perculas, just added a small Tailspot Blenny, and Two Sexy Anemone Shrimp. The closest corals are a Duncan/Whisker Coral that is about 3-4 inches away, the rest are all zoanthids.

02/25/2012, 04:33 PM	#5
PlatinumPercula Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 14	Just an update on my original post: The tissue has completely healed over and the coral looks better than ever. Such as weird thing to happen and I'm still not sure why it did. I'm just happy that it wasn't anything major!

02/25/2012, 04:36 PM	#6
karsseboom Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 2,183	It's rtn, that means the coral is dying. Watch it close and if it keeps progressing cut off the good part and frag it.