Question about a Leather toadstool?

[ggjayjay]

Hi I bought a Leather toadstool could not tell ya much about it or what kind it is. I Liked it and the guy at the store said it was a good starter Coral. I did some reading and found it not the best coral to start with but anyway here is what I have and here is my problem Thanks for any info you can give.....


I have a 55 gl tank
Protine skimer
Compact lighting 260 watts
UV light good enough for my system
and a good filter for my system
I have checked my water all is good
PH +
No2 +
Ammonia+
Alkalinity seems to be ok new at this test!!!!
Calcium this is where I might be in trouble its very close to the range but short alittle going to try to go get something for this but like I said its close...

Ok now for my question My Toadstool looks fine just will not open up and let out his sucker dobobs its been well since Thursday night I got him and they said 24 to 48 hr for it to open well that past awhile ago but still looks to be ok He's a pink purple color has a little wax on him anyone have any Ideas Thanks!!!!

[RazerCorals]

Well they are good beginer corals, so your LFS didn't lie to you.

They said 24-48 which is regular. Yours might be taking a little more time.

Also could you tell me about your water flow and what kind of lights the fish store had the leather under. Did it look open at the store?

[ggjayjay]

Ty as for water flow its ok not great he said at the fish shop you don't want a lot of water flow on it. But have a power head about 1 foot away and its off right now should I turn it on. Pointed right at the toadstool. lighting Thats hard to say I can call and find out I got 2 10,000 coral life 65watts sunbursts and 2 coral life Actinic blue 65 watts hope that helps a little!!!

[RazerCorals]

Well your lighitng is good. That shouldn't be an issue. Try feeding your tank somr brine shrimp and see if it opens up.

[ggjayjay]

ok I will try and let ya know. But I should keep the powerhead off for now right!!!

[ggjayjay]

ok tryed everything now and nothing has happened yet it's been 6 days this is not good not good at all.. :( :(

[phistio]

i have two toadstools that were agitated by a neighboring anemone, and did not open for at least the past four months. after removing my anemone a few days ago, they are once again starting to extend their polyps...

honestly i wouldn't be too concerned. if say the coral was shrinking or appeared to be "melting" i would turn caution.

[RazerCorals]

No more condy Phisteo, how did you get yours out?

[ggjayjay]

Thanks phistio Good to see that someone here is so close to me. I am in Mt.Prospect area I will give it awhile and see what happens Thanks again To both of you!!!!

[phistio]

i drew the line, and the condy finally crossed it! a few days ago i moved some xenia from one side of the tank to the other, and the condy (perhaps in defiant aggresion) moved from his spot of hapiness and attached himself to the rubble that my xenia was attached to on top of my sand. fried the xenia, my candycane, and some green star polyps...

enough was enough!!! though he was an extremely healthy species, i siezed the moment and bagged him up and took him to my LFS and traded for a mandarin.

i had been wanting him out for months, and had my chance...sure, i miss him, but don't mis the grief and havoc he's caused! :evil:

[ggjayjay]

Ok Now I think its dieing yesterday the toadstoll sheded his skin a real thin coat thought it be ok now he is hanging over getting closer to the rocks but still looks ok.. I am lost here any help!!!!

[steve1s]

Ok Now I think its dieing yesterday the toadstoll sheded his skin a real thin coat thought it be ok now he is hanging over getting closer to the rocks but still looks ok.. I am lost here any help!!!!

The skin shedding is quite normal, especially after being placed in a new environment. It is tipically kown as sloughing. Many soft corals will do this, it's their way of removing impurities and also a way of adjusting.

Give it a while longer, it's only been a week since you got the toadstool. It can in some cases take a bit of time after you get them. You never know what's happened to it before you got the coral and too many moves may have stressed it a bit. I have seen many corals remain in this condition for weeks at a time. :cry:

Cheers
Steve

[ggjayjay]

Hey Steve Thankyou I do hope it makes it threw this it was so cool looking when it was in good health....

[phistio]

i too have to say, give it some time...from my experience these corals can live through quite a bit! it may go through a couple of "sloughings" before it begins to look really healthy. i can however encourage you to analize the situation some...

first, do a few tests on Alk, and calcium levels. also, check your salinity.

second, take a step back from the big picture, and ask yourself "are the corals needs being met?"

if the coral is too close to an agressive species, there could be a silent chemical warfare going on, while you're unaware of a battle. is there something "upstream" of the flow that could be affecting the coral? i had a piece of Montipora that fell on one of my toadies, and he bent over right then and there...after relocating the Montipora, the toadstoll perked right back up...

best of luck, and be patient with it! :wink: