Hammer Time

dancin_trancy · 02-13-2006, 06:35 PM

Hey everyone...last Friday I purchased a beautiful Midas Blenny...will post pics of her on the fish section...and I also bought a branching hammer coral. Its awesome...but I it acting strange...wanted to see if anyone could help me. It was basically three branches all the same length, with a "pom pom" on each end...awesome piece..all was well, it was "puffed up" during light hours, and retracted during dark hours....Ill attach some pics of what it looked like up until today....today I came home and the left branch end...is all shriveled up, and not extended at all....more retracted than I ever had seen it before...I hope it isnt dying but not sure what to look for....the middle branch, the tentacles look almost as if someone pulled on them, they are all stretched out like noodles, the right branch seems to be okay...water per are great.. 0 nit & am. sg 1.026, temp 78.......the zoo's that I purchased a week prior are still doing awesome...so not too sure if it would be my water quality that would cause this..has anyone seen this before?

thanks a bunch!

pictures before:

dancin_trancy · 02-13-2006, 06:37 PM

Pictures after I got home:

gawlowski · 02-13-2006, 07:10 PM

I have hammers, and they sometimes do that(retraction thing). A lot of things could be going on. Other corals could be stinging it,it could be rubbing against something, a powerhead may be pointed right at it or it is having an "off" day. Do not worry about 1 day, if it continues it may be something to watch. You may want to try targetfeeding the heads.

Trickman2 · 02-13-2006, 07:28 PM

Pretty normal for hammers to have their moods once in a while. Don't forget to target feed....Very important in my opinion.

Here is my hammer (FYI... I feed it about once a week)

http://www.sdreefs.com/forums/attach...9&d=1134702401

dancin_trancy · 02-13-2006, 08:57 PM

Okay good to hear...I have been trying to target feed with zoo planton..does that seem like a good start, or do you guys have better suggestions? Thanks again for your swift replies!

Trickman2 · 02-13-2006, 09:55 PM

frozen rotifers or dry rotifers work very well

dancin_trancy · 02-14-2006, 08:16 AM

Okay, great thanks! Ill pick some of that up! Thanks again.....now since they technically feed when it is dark (correct me if Im wrong) should I attempt to target feed at night, or while the light is on? Last question, promise!

Trickman2 · 02-16-2006, 07:53 AM

I feed when the lights are on, Usually I will give them a little blast wait about 3 or 4 minutes for the animal to realize I am going to feed and then feed them. Mixing Phyto and Rotifers would be a good feeding solution.

Jason McKenzie · 02-16-2006, 08:37 AM

I feed my monster Hammer mysis, Bryne and other meaty food I would feed my fish.

It could be all closed up because it's scared of the fake coral that have moved into the area LOL (Just joking)

dancin_trancy · 02-16-2006, 10:23 AM

Great thanks guys! It must have just been having an off day....cause its nice and "fluffy" now...back to normal...thanks for your help!