SPS Tips damage. PLEASE HELP!!

[aussiefishy]

I have notice in these few days that, a particular type of SPS's head (Tips) are all damaged... and other types of SPS next to it is fine, this condition is only happening in this particular type.

I have fragged this particular SPS a couple of times and placed it in different place in the same reef, but they ALL show signs of Tip damage... have anyone had this happened?

One thing to note is that, only the tips are damaged, but it has never spread further than 3mm from the tip.... and this is making me REALLY NERVOUS 8O

my guess is that something in the tank is eating the tips of this particular SPS... it is a Acropora. can anyone help?? 8O 8O

 

[Len]

Can you describe the damage? Usually, this type of problem means this particular specimen is not accustomed to the lighting (likely intensity). It may be a deeper water specimen.

 

[Anonymous]

Is it damage or could it be growth? Some acros grow with white tips that color in later. I have a red millie that does this. A pic would really help.

 

[Anonymous]

Not to sound like a jerk, but are you sure that this is damage and not just growth at the tips?

 

[aussiefishy]

THanks for the input guys!

I am pretty sure that is not growth, the calcium part is what's left of the tips, the "Skins" are not there.

The strange thing is that i have different colonies at different parts of the tank and they all show the same symtoms... I will try to post a picture to you all, but i am pretty sure the tips are not from growth.
please help!!!!! 8O

 

[SnowManSnow]

i agree.. I think a pic would help a LOT!!!

B

 

[aussiefishy]

here is the pictures

http://members.shaw.ca/aussiefishy/Coralsick.html

Please help... it improved last time and it happens again....

 

[aussiefishy]

Bump! please help!

 

[mr_X]

i would cut one of those tips off leaving only good flesh, and see what happens to that particular stalk.
sometimes if you remove the necrotic tissue, it will continue on like nothing happened.

 

[aussiefishy]

I tried today. will wait and see what will happen. thanks

 

[brandonberry]

i would cut one of those tips off leaving only good flesh, and see what happens to that particular stalk.
sometimes if you remove the necrotic tissue, it will continue on like nothing happened.

I agree. They definitely heal faster when you break off the algae covered dead ends. It's really not that different from pruning dead limbs off of a tree.

 

[camaroracer214]

do you have any coral nipping fish? being localized on the tips, it might be nipping from an angel or something.

also, take a flashlight at night and look very carefully at the coral. you might be getting red bugs or nudibranchs. i doubt it's the nudis though as they usually eat montis, but i've seen the rare occasion where they do eat acros. another thing to consider, but probably not the problem, is asterinia sea stars. they are normally beneficial algae eaters, but i've seen instances where they've attached to an acro and started munching away.

how's your water quality? it's hard to tell from the pic, but do the tips have algae on them? if your phosphate and or nitrate are high then the algae might be popping up on your corals, although i'd expect to see it on the sand and rocks before appearing on a coral branch.

did you move the coral away from a source of good water flow? that could also be a problem.

 

[aussiefishy]

I am currently trying to correct my Ca/ALK parameter using CaCl and dKh buffer. will re-test on wed, some suggested to be Alk burn, while other suggest it is from elevated PO4...

will try correct one then the other, if not, i will never know what does it.

will update asap.

thanks for all inputs! :wink:

 

[brandonberry]

If you want to save some money on buffer, just use baking soda dissolved in DI water. That's likely all the buffer is.