Is my finger leather dying

[reefmom]

I have a good size finger leather. Have had it for about two years now. Recently we rearranged some of the rock work and corals. We noticed it was moving from its original rock to one next to it. We did not try to separate it from either rock figuring it would get comfortable however it wanted. We did however move the coral and its rocks to a differant and higher position in the tank. This week we have noticed at the base where its attached to the rocks it turned white and flaky. Today it completely separated from both rocks and the majority of the base flaked like tiny white pieces of rice. We have moved what is left to a lower flow area on the substrate on the bottom of the tank. What is left appears fleshy and has polyps. Is is dying? Have read of leathers "molting" but in the 5 years of having leathers we have never experienced such an occurance. Any suggestions? All other corals are good including other leathers.

 

[KathyC]

Any chance of posting a pic of what it looks like including the base where it is crumbling?

 

[reefmom]

I am new to here... I don't know how to post pics

 

[KathyC]

You have a point there...do you use photobucket? You can put it on there and post the IMG link here?

If not...for the meantime..this is not terribly uncommon with leathers. If the polyps are still opening, that is a good sign. What is holding it in place now..do you have it wedged between a couple of rocks?

If you run carbon in your system, you might want to change it out for new carbon as leathers release toxins (not awful, but better to be safe) when they get upset.

The molting that leathers do is not what you are describing..when this happens they shed a thin layer of their outer skin from the whole leather..kinda looks like slime.