Colt Coral Closed Up

[burtpark]

Hi, I have a 20g reef with a colt coral and xenia. The colt was doing fine for the past month. Water parameters perfect and no new additions to the tank since then. However, for the past week, the colt has been closed up and refuses to open. Is it normal for it to be closed this long and is there anything I can do? Water flow good, benn using chemi-pure since I started the tank, and no predators. Thanks

 

[fungia]

my colt does this when it is shedding. it is normal. it closes up for several days and sometimes longer then a week.

 

[K9coral]

Mine has gone as long as a week so I wouldnt worry about it unless it looks sickly.

 

[burtpark]

Thanks guys for the resonses. Not only is the colt closed up, but it has shrunk. Is this part of the normal process? It doesn't look like it's dead.

 

[fungia]

it is normal for it to shrink. just in case maybe do a water change.

 

[tinyreef]

continued shrinking of the colt could be a sign of illness or shock (as defined below).

the illness is imo often from an infection of some sort. bacterial infections would quickly lay waste to the coral ime so i cross that out. the coral flesh would be sloughing off and melting away.

viral infection (just suspicions, no proof of viruses) has the wasting away effect. i usually treat such 'infections' (as i define them) with lugol's or just time/stability.

shock can result in body fluid loss thus causing the coral to shrink. this shock can come from extreme temperature, lighting, or chemical changes. injury is another possibility but usually very visible.

usually, given time and protection the coral slowly heals itself back. if you haven't had any obvious changes look for the subtle/hidden ones; e.g. seasonal changes of temp-winter/spring, salt creep falling on the coral, water flow changes from maintenance (lack of). hth

 

[Anonymous]

My softies do this from time to time. I does sometimes take up to a week. f it is more than that I would worry, being it usually takes 2-3 days. Any rotting areas are of concern as well.

 

[fishgills]

My friends colt closed up one time for over a week till he tested and his alk, it was very low, i'm no expert but when he raised his alk it opened again, plus his calcium was low too, don't know if that had anything to do with it but it opened, hope this helps.
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[Anonymous]

A high or low PH and/or alk seems to effect softies more than other corals.

 

[EmilyB]

Corals simply don't close up that long, leathers or not ime. I've found flow to be a big culprit ( a powerhead quit working or something) or caught someone nibbling...

I however do regular water changes and testing so assume your water quality is not in question.

 

[Anonymous]

ANother vote for checking your pH, alk, and calcium levels. I'd bet your alk and pH are off.