leather coral after adding to new tank

Anthony357 · 10/14/2016, 11:41 AM

I have had a leather coral in my tank for about 2 weeks now, and ever since adding it it the polyps have retracted and it seems like its not really happy. I noticed it did its 'shedding' of the milky type substance about 3 days ago, which i have heard that they do that. But it still is yet to expand out (like it did in the fish store) I was wondering if i should move it maybe, its not really in direct line of sight of the powerhead but it definitely can feel it. Maybe its too turbulent for it? I attached some pictures of it, it also seems to be sagging a little compared to when i first got it...any ideas?

Spectorman · 10/14/2016, 11:46 AM

I will assume your parameters are where they need to be. This is pretty normal for letters in particular to retract and look "not well" for a bit.
My purple devil's hand looked awful for about a month then extended. THEN,it grew out to where it needed to be measured in feet. I just cut it back.
The shedding is normal.
They like high flow,most can tolerate lights of varying degrees and assimilate.
No,need to worry unless the tissue is soft. As long as the tissue is firm,its alive.

Anthony357 · 10/14/2016, 11:55 AM

yeah parameters are all good, was going to do a WC when i got home from work today for my once a week change. But the params have been on point for some time now. I know the lights are more than enough ( 4 Hydra 26 HD's on a 4ft 90) that are toned way down since its overkill if they weren't, and they are still in acclimation mode since i added a few new coral pieces

Spectorman · 10/14/2016, 05:46 PM

Ok,cool!
If it's not showing obvious, signs of irritation? I'd leave it alone. Obvious signs would be bugs, brown blotches on the skin, soft spots,lifting off its perch,that kind of thing.
Best of luck. Keep us posted.

mcgyvr · 10/14/2016, 05:52 PM

Has it been like that for the whole 2 weeks?..
Thats a bit much IMO for a leather (even new to a tank).. but not necessarily a problem at all.. As long as it doesn't seem to be "melting" away then I wouldn't worry yet..
You might want to just try moving it to a different spot.. Maybe medium/low light with moderately decent flow..

Leathers will shed skin (it will look just like yours..) then you may notice a "glossy" look to it and then the top layer of skin will come off a day or 2 later..

10/14/2016, 11:55 AM	#3
Anthony357 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 257	yeah parameters are all good, was going to do a WC when i got home from work today for my once a week change. But the params have been on point for some time now. I know the lights are more than enough ( 4 Hydra 26 HD's on a 4ft 90) that are toned way down since its overkill if they weren't, and they are still in acclimation mode since i added a few new coral pieces Last edited by Anthony357; 10/14/2016 at 12:02 PM.

10/14/2016, 05:52 PM	#5
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Has it been like that for the whole 2 weeks?.. Thats a bit much IMO for a leather (even new to a tank).. but not necessarily a problem at all.. As long as it doesn't seem to be "melting" away then I wouldn't worry yet.. You might want to just try moving it to a different spot.. Maybe medium/low light with moderately decent flow.. Leathers will shed skin (it will look just like yours..) then you may notice a "glossy" look to it and then the top layer of skin will come off a day or 2 later.. __________________ Who me?

10/14/2016, 11:46 AM	#2
Spectorman Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Upstate NewYork. No buildings... Lots of cows Posts: 186	I will assume your parameters are where they need to be. This is pretty normal for letters in particular to retract and look "not well" for a bit. My purple devil's hand looked awful for about a month then extended. THEN,it grew out to where it needed to be measured in feet. I just cut it back. The shedding is normal. They like high flow,most can tolerate lights of varying degrees and assimilate. No,need to worry unless the tissue is soft. As long as the tissue is firm,its alive.