Bubble Coral Shrinking

The Saltwater Kid · 08/29/2006, 08:57 PM

My green bubble coral I've had for about 3 months now. It's been doing fantastic...getting HUGE! Now all of a sudden overnight it's shrunk to half it's normal size. It usually shrinks at night but during the day it takes up a whole corner of my tank but now it's only half it's normal size during the day and tonight when it shrunk down it's mouth is exposed. What is happening? What could have happened overnight to have caused this condition? Is there anything I can do? Should I be worried?

asm481 · 08/29/2006, 09:16 PM

feed it maybe?

dcombs44 · 08/29/2006, 09:26 PM

Make sure all water parameters are stable. I've had some lps that are normally huge and shrink up for a few days and come back bigger than ever. It almost seems to me like they store up energy to make a push for a growth spurt. Check water params. consider a water change and keep an eye on it. The lighting isn't too bad, but maybe that has something to do with it. How does your calcium measure? Sorry I can't be of much more help. That's about all the advice that I can offer.

The Saltwater Kid · 08/30/2006, 06:17 AM

Water params are good...recently had them checked at LFS. I am dosing calcium once each week. I've been just letting it filter feed but did spot feed it some cyclopeez last night. As for lighting, that i know is fine because like i said it has been flourishing so I don't think it's that plus it was literally overnight...one day it was HUGE and beautiful and the next day it was shrunken and half it's normal size.

Travis L. Stevens · 08/30/2006, 07:44 AM

"Good" is a relative term. How trusted is the LFS? Can you get us exact parameters? Also, make sure that you are feeding it.

cbicop · 08/30/2006, 08:25 AM

Take a close look at the coral and make sure there isnt anything stinging it. Also look for a nudibranch of the same color as your coral... they usually look like what they eat!

08/29/2006, 08:57 PM	#1
The Saltwater Kid Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Barre, VT Posts: 2,586	Bubble Coral Shrinking My green bubble coral I've had for about 3 months now. It's been doing fantastic...getting HUGE! Now all of a sudden overnight it's shrunk to half it's normal size. It usually shrinks at night but during the day it takes up a whole corner of my tank but now it's only half it's normal size during the day and tonight when it shrunk down it's mouth is exposed. What is happening? What could have happened overnight to have caused this condition? Is there anything I can do? Should I be worried? __________________ Oceanic Biocube 14g Nano Tank w/middle chamber refugium mod 2 Ecoxotic Power Pro LED Modules (1 - 12K/Royal Blue combo, 1 - Royal Blue) MaxiJet 900 return, VorTech MP10 circulation Livestock: Higher End Z's & P's, few mushrooms, Aussie Duncan, Maxi Mini Carpet Anemone

08/29/2006, 09:26 PM	#3
dcombs44 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 2,913	Make sure all water parameters are stable. I've had some lps that are normally huge and shrink up for a few days and come back bigger than ever. It almost seems to me like they store up energy to make a push for a growth spurt. Check water params. consider a water change and keep an eye on it. The lighting isn't too bad, but maybe that has something to do with it. How does your calcium measure? Sorry I can't be of much more help. That's about all the advice that I can offer. __________________ Current Setup: 10 Gallon Skimmerless Zoanthid Tank Lighting: Single 175 Watt Metal Halide (14,000 K Hamilton Lamp) Filtration: 10 gallon sump/refugium and Phosban Reactor Return: Mag Drive 700 Controller: ReefKeeper Lite (Basic Version) Circulation: TBD Age of System: Build is in Progress

08/30/2006, 06:17 AM	#4
The Saltwater Kid Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Barre, VT Posts: 2,586	Water params are good...recently had them checked at LFS. I am dosing calcium once each week. I've been just letting it filter feed but did spot feed it some cyclopeez last night. As for lighting, that i know is fine because like i said it has been flourishing so I don't think it's that plus it was literally overnight...one day it was HUGE and beautiful and the next day it was shrunken and half it's normal size. __________________ Oceanic Biocube 14g Nano Tank w/middle chamber refugium mod 2 Ecoxotic Power Pro LED Modules (1 - 12K/Royal Blue combo, 1 - Royal Blue) MaxiJet 900 return, VorTech MP10 circulation Livestock: Higher End Z's & P's, few mushrooms, Aussie Duncan, Maxi Mini Carpet Anemone

08/30/2006, 07:44 AM	#5
Travis L. Stevens Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Perry, OK Posts: 13,946	"Good" is a relative term. How trusted is the LFS? Can you get us exact parameters? Also, make sure that you are feeding it. __________________ Travis Stevens Current Tank Info: Restarting 28g Bowfront

08/29/2006, 09:16 PM	#2
asm481 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kenosha Wisconsin Posts: 593	feed it maybe?

08/30/2006, 08:25 AM	#6
cbicop Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 92	Take a close look at the coral and make sure there isnt anything stinging it. Also look for a nudibranch of the same color as your coral... they usually look like what they eat!