Limp colt coral

[gatorracer]

I recently purchased about a 5" colt coral that is driving me crazy. It opens up just fine with its arms extending and it's little feelers open but it just lays over on the live rock. It is about mid ways up in my 100 gallon tank with six 95 watt sub compact lighting.

Is there something wrong with it? It hit me just now it might be too close to the lights but I am not sure thats the problem. Can I tie the coral up with some fishing line to try to improve its posture or will the line eventually cut the stalk and kill it?

Pleas give me some advice.

Thanks in advance

Gatorracer

 

[Len]

Since it's a new coral, I'd give it some time. It's probably just acclimating to the new water conditions and thus hasn't fully inflated yet. Soft corals use water pressure to take on their rigid shape, so it sounds as if yours isn't full filled with water yet (again, probably due to it acclimating to its new environment). Also, make sure it isn't being blown over in one direction by current.

Lights sound fine for this coral.

 

[gatorracer]

thats the part that is frustrating me no matter where I put it it gets blown over. I am pretty sure from its appearance at lumch it is getting discolored at the base and looks like it is letting go from the rock.
I guess I'll get the garbage bag ready cause that is what it is looking like to me.

Man I'm bummed I really love the way they look when they are healthy.

Thanks again

 

[Len]

If the base is deterioting, I'd move it elsewhere where the base and some of the stalk is firmly planted into the rockwork. It'll attach itself within a month and perhaps that will solve your problem.

 

[danmhippo]

When you are acclimate him to the new environment, Set him in a moderate current area first. Turbulent flow is not good for him anyway. If the base is deteriorating, I would cut off the lower part, and drive a plastic toothpick 3mm above the cutting, and tie the exposed 2 ends of the toothpick onto a LR for it to attach. Don't mess around with him too much.

You have other corals in the tank, right?