Hammer coral dying??

ag09g · 11/27/2012, 02:39 PM

So I just received an order of coral this morning. In the package were frags of zoanthids, blastomussa, acans and then the hammer coral in question. When I opened the bags all of them smelled normal except for the hammer that smelled like decay. Within an hour of being put in the aquarium the others had started to open up well, but the hammer had what looked like flesh missing from the sides of the skeleton in a small spot, and while the tentacles had started to make an appearance they had not come over the skeleton as of 4 hours in the tank. By this time all the others from this shipment had opened all the way.

Does this sound normal for a newly shipped hammer? Or should I be expecting it to slowly erode away?

dmh41532 · 11/27/2012, 05:59 PM

I haven't ordered hammers via internet, however, if the hammer's bag had a differnet smell it may be dead. I would contact the place you ordered it from.

Vice333 · 11/27/2012, 06:03 PM

Usually when you see the flesh comming off and the skeleton, its the kiss of death for a hammer. I would definatly call the company.

ACBlinky · 11/27/2012, 06:33 PM

If it smelled bad, chances are something's wrong. Did you give it any sort of dip before placing it in the tank? I'd leave it where it is regardless; all you can do is offer it ideal parameters and a good position in the tank. LPS corals can regenerate lost tissue, so it may recover, but if it starts to melt and fall apart there's not much you can do.

If the seller offered a guarantee, I'd take pictures and write them/call them to let them know the hammer didn't ship well, just in case it dies.

ag09g · 11/27/2012, 10:27 PM

The only guarantee is a live arrival guarantee, and its definitely still alive. Its polyps were out a bit more by tonight, extending slightly over the skeleton. Ill post a picture, let me know how you think it looks. This is my first hammer coral so Im not really sure what to expect.

Thanks!

11/27/2012, 02:39 PM	#1
ag09g Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 274	Hammer coral dying?? So I just received an order of coral this morning. In the package were frags of zoanthids, blastomussa, acans and then the hammer coral in question. When I opened the bags all of them smelled normal except for the hammer that smelled like decay. Within an hour of being put in the aquarium the others had started to open up well, but the hammer had what looked like flesh missing from the sides of the skeleton in a small spot, and while the tentacles had started to make an appearance they had not come over the skeleton as of 4 hours in the tank. By this time all the others from this shipment had opened all the way. Does this sound normal for a newly shipped hammer? Or should I be expecting it to slowly erode away?

11/27/2012, 06:33 PM	#4
ACBlinky Premium Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Peterborough, ON, Canada Posts: 4,954 Blog Entries: 20	If it smelled bad, chances are something's wrong. Did you give it any sort of dip before placing it in the tank? I'd leave it where it is regardless; all you can do is offer it ideal parameters and a good position in the tank. LPS corals can regenerate lost tissue, so it may recover, but if it starts to melt and fall apart there's not much you can do. If the seller offered a guarantee, I'd take pictures and write them/call them to let them know the hammer didn't ship well, just in case it dies. __________________ "The cure for anything is salt water: sweat, tears, or the sea." - Isak Dinesen Current Tank Info: 150g mixed reef, 30g sump/refugium, LED lighting, 100lbs LR, coral beauty, flame angel, blue & yellow tangs, gobies, damsels, 6-line wrasse, lawnmower blenny, dottyback, clown pair, rabbitfish, shrimp, crabs, CUC.

11/27/2012, 05:59 PM	#2
dmh41532 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Bellefontaine Ohio Posts: 771	I haven't ordered hammers via internet, however, if the hammer's bag had a differnet smell it may be dead. I would contact the place you ordered it from.

11/27/2012, 06:03 PM	#3
Vice333 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Lansdale, PA Posts: 128	Usually when you see the flesh comming off and the skeleton, its the kiss of death for a hammer. I would definatly call the company.