Beautiful Orange PLATE coral dying... help?

[scifi_3d_zoo]

I'm starting to see tissue recede away from the edges. I wanted to seek some help to try and save this expensive piece of coral. They are supposed to be very hardy, not picky about light or water flow. Sometimes I read that you should give them meety treats at night when they are open. But I never have b/c that doesn't sound like an easy care coral to me, and I put in phytoplankton quite regularly. Water quality is pretty good, but this coral should be hardy to even small problems, and it is a well established tank. I could take a picture but I think it's self-explanatory. TIA guys.

 

[Len]

You're probaby referring to heliofungia of fungia. The receding edges is more common with heliofungia but can occur in either genus. It's possible something on the substrate is irritating the coral's tissue. I recommend you move it elsewhere and see if the condition improves. If it's on sand, try placing it on a flat piece of rock. Sometimes bacteria or protozoans in the sand can infect corals.

 

[scifi_3d_zoo]

I move him around regularly. I had the same problem with a brain that had burried edges. But you read so much about how they must be in the substrate. Not sure if I have a rocky area for something round and flat like this. Maybe I can put him on top of small rubble rock in the sand, with a little sand on top of the rock. Just to get get it out of the sand. Hopefully this is all it is and can be rectified easily.

It's a "short" tentacle plate. Shorts are fungia. Other is long. I think that's the diff between the two scientific names. Although a pic at liveaquaria has a diff. name... http://www.liveaquaria.com/diversden/ItemDisplay.cfm?ddid=2943&siteid=20

 

[Len]

I've seen them in the wild on rocky substrates, so no worries about placing them on your live rock instead of the sand. Give it a shot and see if it slows down the tissue recession.

 

[SnowManSnow]

make sure you place it on a nice flat surface. these guys can shift around a little. also, post a pic if you can of the problem.

b