Help with a toadstool

[hgsports]

I have a large yellow toadstool/leather that hasnt extended it's polyps for a couple days now. It looks like something is bothering it, but I've been watching now for hours and nothing seems to be anywhere near it.

I've checked the following water chemistry values:
Ph = 8.0, Alkalinity = 9.3, Temp = 80, Nitrite = 0.0, Nitrate = 0.0, Calcium = 380, Iodine = .01

It's a 75 Gallon (48x24x16) under 4 x 96W power compacts (2 daylight, 2 blues).

Everything else in the tank looks fine. Other than the water being slightly warm, i cant find anything wrong with the tank. The are 2 percula clowns living in the toadstool ,so it is constantly touched by them, but that has never been a problem before.

I havent moved the coral or added another in about 2 weeks.

Anyone have any ideas? I cant find any docs on the Internet about specific care for leathers. Just general "they're hardy" comments. Nothing about polyp extension type questions...


John

 

[danmhippo]

How long have you had the toadstool? & how many days have you observed the problem?

Mine occasionaly close up for a day or 2. Last time It did again, I found the powerhead malfunctioned.

J

 

[hgsports]

I've had it for about a month now. I'm not sure how long it's been in this state. I was away for a week and a friend was caring for the tank. It's been like this for that past 15 - 20 hours now. I have no idea if it was like this longer.

What do you mean by "the powerhead malfuntioned". You mean one in the tank stopped working, or was making excessive noise, etc? I havent though to check them....

One thing that was different while I was away was the photo period. I have the 2 daylight bulbs on timers but the blues i turn on/off manually in th e morning and at night. So normally the blues are on about 12 -13 hours and the daylights are on 10 hours. While I was away the blues stayed on 24 hours. Perhaps that could be it?


John

 

[DKKA]

It's normal for Sarcophytons to close up periodically. Usually it's nothing to worry about unless it stays closed for extended periods of time, or shows signs of decay.
I've had one stay closed for well over a month with no ill effects, though usually it's only for a matter of days.
hth, Dan

 

[danmhippo]

That could be it.

What I meant was the PH was dead. I replaced another one and redirect current over the leather, it came back within hours.

The out of normal photo period and actinic exposure could have triggered the event you are witnessing.

 

[hgsports]

So lets assume its the change in photoperiod. My guess is I just resume the normal photoperiod and it will adjust? No need to "compensate" for it?

thanks!


John

 

[Super Len]

Like DKKA stated, all Sarcophyton sp. close up occasionally. Polyps may be retracted anywhere from a day to several weeks. During this period, what the Sarcophyton is doing is shedding a waxy film, effectively sloughing off bacteria and algae that has acculumated on its outer skin. It's perfectly normal, and nothing to be concerned about. Unless you see any tissue necrosis, leave the coral alone, and it'll be fine in a few days.

 

[HARRISON]

I have a large toadstool that is closed up right now too. They just build up the wax (slime)like everyone said and it will be back in a couple days. Just be patient. If for some reason it doesn't come back out in a few days try giving it a little more flow. This can help shed the waxy coating and move things along.

HARRISON