Mushroom Coral Dying??

Discussion in 'Coral Health' started by italiareef, Jan 4, 2009.

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  1. italiareef

    italiareef Astrea Snail

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    Jan 4, 2009
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    I have had this particular mushroom coral for a week now and i am still having problems with it. When i first put the mushroom coral in my tank it looked deflated and dying but i understand that this is normal upon arrival, however after a week now it still looks deflated and not as healthy as it looked at the LSF. Also one morning i noticed that it was expelling a lot of brown waste. Now it still looks deflated and looks like it is splitting in two! I just wanted to know if any one could offer any information on this topic, and on if it still being deflated and not fully open is a sign of bad health.
     
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  3. missionsix

    missionsix Super Moderator Staff Member

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    Brief description of the problem.
    A picture(s) will also help.
    PARAMETERS (important)
    Temperature:
    PH:
    Ammonia:
    Nitrite:
    Nitrate:
    Salinity:
    dKH/KH/Alkalinity:
    Magnesium:
    Calcium:
    Phosphate:

    Tank size?
    Estimated total system?


    Reef, fish only or, freshwater?

    Current inhabitants? What and how many?
    Clean up crew?


    How long has your tank been set-up?

    Substrate.
    Type?
    Depth?

    Live rock?
    How much?
    Did you recently add some?

    Filtration.
    Type?
    Protein skimmer?
    Do you wet or dry skim?
    Maintenance schedule for filtration?
    Drilled tank/hang on back overflow?
    Sump/refugium. What's in it and how much?
    Macro? What kind?

    Lighting.
    Lighting type?
    Age of bulbs?

    Feeding
    What?
    How much?
    How often?

    Water change schedule.
    How much?
    How often?
    What salt brand?
    Water source?

    Additives/supplements used?

    Do you have a ground probe?
    What kind of flow does your tank have?

    Any additional info you would like to share.... Including anything different that you have done/not done.

    Let's get to the bottom of this. Any of the above info that is questionable to you is pertinent to keeping a happy/healthy tank/wallet.


    Hit the quote button and fill in the blanks the best you can.
     
  4. sharkyshark

    sharkyshark Spaghetti Worm

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    Not sure. Post pics so people will be able to help you out.
    Hope it's ok
     
  5. italiareef

    italiareef Astrea Snail

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    unfortunately i was not able to get a clear picture of the coral, but now it looks like it is almost completely split into two, could it just be that it is reproducing?
     
  6. mile high reefer

    mile high reefer Fire Shrimp

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    Yes that would be cool huh. I was told they look like they are going to die then split. I have not seen this yet
     
  7. coral reefer

    coral reefer Giant Squid

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    Need some pertinent info and some pictures possibly.
    What I can gather is that your mushrooms are expelling a strain of its zooxanthellae, possibly in hopes of replacing it with another strain better suited for its environment.
    Another thing regarding mushrooms is that when a mushroom expands/inflates, it is doing so in hopes of contacting more light and nutrients which may be lacking from your tank. On the contrary, when a mushroom deflates/shrinks, it is a way for the mushroom to conserve energy as it has a large enough supply of light and nutrients and hence doesn't have to increase in size.
    Just keep an eye out for it and see what happens.
    When reproducing, they will shrivel up again as a way of conserving energy for reproduction. Reproduction my mushrooms can take place by more than one method, by the way!
     
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  9. italiareef

    italiareef Astrea Snail

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    thank you... now the coral has completely split and seems to be doing better!