Another daggon Toadstool question

Airborne12B · 02/23/2016, 11:52 AM

Okie-dokes people, I bought a beautiful toadstool from my LFS and after dripping and QT it was doing great for about 4 days. It looked like it was going to molt, but it never really seemed to happen. First there was no polyp extension, then it started to shrink (but was still firm), now it's closing up, shrinking, and going limp. I'm unsure what is going on, but it's been acting up for about 8-9 days.

PH 8.2
Ammonia 0<.25
Nitrite 0
Nitrate <10ppm
Phos 0
Cal 480
KH 7dkh
Salinity 1.025

Lights are MAXspect Razor

scelona · 02/23/2016, 12:11 PM

I recently got one as well and it has retracted its polyps for parts of the day but usually is happy within an hour or two.

It might be an issue with parameter stability, I noticed your alkalinity is on the very bottom of the recommended scale so it would probably be good to raise. Also, are you using API test kits? You should invest in some nice test kits (red sea or salifert) and get one for magnesium so you can monitor your parameters more accurately. Getting a stable system will make the corals happier then anything.

jayball · 02/23/2016, 01:02 PM

More often than not sulking toads are because of not enough water movement, preferably turbulent. This helps them shed when they need to.

Another possible issue is if some of mine are messed with (especially with bare hands) they will do that

Also +1 for post number 2.

Airborne12B · 02/23/2016, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scelona

I recently got one as well and it has retracted its polyps for parts of the day but usually is happy within an hour or two.

It might be an issue with parameter stability, I noticed your alkalinity is on the very bottom of the recommended scale so it would probably be good to raise. Also, are you using API test kits? You should invest in some nice test kits (red sea or salifert) and get one for magnesium so you can monitor your parameters more accurately. Getting a stable system will make the corals happier then anything.

I agree about the alk, I will raise it. It is consistently in that range though, and the tank is actually pretty stable. I do 5gal changes every two weeks and test every Sunday night. The results are so consistent I've got them memorized lol. I do use API, and you bring up a valid point, I need to get better test kits. Maybe the consistency comes from the inferior detection.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jayball

More often than not sulking toads are because of not enough water movement, preferably turbulent. This helps them shed when they need to.

Another possible issue is if some of mine are messed with (especially with bare hands) they will do that

Also +1 for post number 2.

I put it in higher flow overnight, and this morning it looked worse. Then I came home today and it looks like this. I

scelona · 02/23/2016, 04:38 PM

It looks like it is shedding so it might be a lot happier then you think. As long as their is no tissue dying then I would just wait a few days and see how it looks. I have had a few softies close up and look terrible, only to shed a layer and come back looking bigger and happier.

nuttyd · 02/23/2016, 04:47 PM

Had another leather shrink up for two months in an office tank. Never knew why. Then one day decided to come back out like nothing happened. Leathers always seem to be touchy.

Airborne12B · 02/23/2016, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scelona

It looks like it is shedding so it might be a lot happier then you think. As long as their is no tissue dying then I would just wait a few days and see how it looks. I have had a few softies close up and look terrible, only to shed a layer and come back looking bigger and happier.

That was my conclusion when I came home. It finally looks like it's doing something and not just slowly fading away. I have read that I should use a baster to suck up the old "skin" so it doesn't alter water quality. Would there be a time where manual removal is too early? For example, if I were to remove it as is, would it damage the coral? Should I wait until it's essentially streamers clinging on for dear life?

Quote:

Originally Posted by nuttyd

Had another leather shrink up for two months in an office tank. Never knew why. Then one day decided to come back out like nothing happened. Leathers always seem to be touchy.

I came across this notion when I was frantically searching the inernet-machine for answers. It almost sounds like toadstools are the clowns of corals, and you just never really know why they suddenly develop and then abandon abnormal behavior.

jayball · 02/23/2016, 06:35 PM

Unless it is very large in relation to the tank I wouldn't bother at all. Even if it is I would not until you get to know its cycle better. No need to make it mad now when it might be looking up.

Edit: sorry, I meant about the baster... Forgot to quote.

Airborne12B · 02/23/2016, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jayball

Unless it is very large in relation to the tank I wouldn't bother at all. Even if it is I would not until you get to know its cycle better. No need to make it mad now when it might be looking up.

Edit: sorry, I meant about the baster... Forgot to quote.

Okay, I guess I'll just keep waiting and watching. What's the longest yours has taken to finish it's molt/shed?

jayball · 02/23/2016, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Airborne12B

Okay, I guess I'll just keep waiting and watching. What's the longest yours has taken to finish it's molt/shed?

Judging by your pic in post 4 you will probably see polyps tomorrow. Longest for me was around 7-10 days, not sure exactly.

Airborne12B · 02/24/2016, 05:40 PM

Bingo! I'm seeing the polyps coming out again. Hopefully it will be back up to full strength within the week!

02/23/2016, 12:11 PM	#2
scelona Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 204	I recently got one as well and it has retracted its polyps for parts of the day but usually is happy within an hour or two. It might be an issue with parameter stability, I noticed your alkalinity is on the very bottom of the recommended scale so it would probably be good to raise. Also, are you using API test kits? You should invest in some nice test kits (red sea or salifert) and get one for magnesium so you can monitor your parameters more accurately. Getting a stable system will make the corals happier then anything. __________________ 40 gallon breeder build thread - http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2517024

02/23/2016, 01:02 PM	#3
jayball Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,671	Another daggon Toadstool question More often than not sulking toads are because of not enough water movement, preferably turbulent. This helps them shed when they need to. Another possible issue is if some of mine are messed with (especially with bare hands) they will do that Also +1 for post number 2.

02/23/2016, 04:38 PM	#5
scelona Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 204	It looks like it is shedding so it might be a lot happier then you think. As long as their is no tissue dying then I would just wait a few days and see how it looks. I have had a few softies close up and look terrible, only to shed a layer and come back looking bigger and happier. __________________ 40 gallon breeder build thread - http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2517024

02/23/2016, 06:35 PM	#8
jayball Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,671	Another daggon Toadstool question Unless it is very large in relation to the tank I wouldn't bother at all. Even if it is I would not until you get to know its cycle better. No need to make it mad now when it might be looking up. Edit: sorry, I meant about the baster... Forgot to quote.

02/23/2016, 04:47 PM	#6
nuttyd Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Coral Gables Posts: 520	Had another leather shrink up for two months in an office tank. Never knew why. Then one day decided to come back out like nothing happened. Leathers always seem to be touchy.