steelhead77 Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 I got this Lobophyllia last weekend and put it in what I thought was a prime position on the sand. However, now it seems to be bleaching out at quite a rapid rate, so I moved it to a more open spot. I understand that it feeds primarily through photosynthesis but can be fed other foods. I have tried target feeding it mysis and very small pieces of silversides but it does not seem to capture the food with it's mouths so it just floats off. Being on the bottom, it's mouths always seem to be filled with sand from my Sandsifter Goby. I'm running new T-5's and my params are normal with nitrates <20 and Ph 8.2. All my other corals are doing great. Does anyone have any suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefin' Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 How many t-5 bulbs? 54w? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefin' Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 Do u have smaller food available like cyclopeze? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steelhead77 Posted March 14, 2009 Author Share Posted March 14, 2009 Yes, 4 bulb 54W T-5's. I feed cyclops as part of the rotation. Should I try to target feed the cyclops? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefin' Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 I would wait til right before/after lights go out to target feed....hth Also how tall is ur tank and what bulbs do u have?..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steelhead77 Posted March 14, 2009 Author Share Posted March 14, 2009 I think this thing is a goner. It is sluffing off it's zooxanthellae and dying right before my eyes! I've tried moving it off of the sand to no avail. Like Isaid, all of my other corals are doing fantastic. This one is the only one that is having problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CA2OR Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 JMO the sand in mouth can't be good. Consider moving up higher away from sand bed. Agian JMO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krux Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 those photos showing bare skeleton are basically the coral in its death throes, hopefully nobody sold it to you looking like that... I would question future livestock purchases from them if they did. once you start to see skeleton in any large percentage of the coral, it is rare to bring them back. algae growth or infection on the skeleton usually keep the flesh from regrowing. seems you have already surmised that it is over the hill. sorry for the loss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steelhead77 Posted March 15, 2009 Author Share Posted March 15, 2009 It had a very small amount of skeleton showing when I purchased it. Gradually over the past week it began to show more and then today, it really accelerated. Now my Purple Tang is feasting on the stuff sloughing off of it. When it's this bad do I need to get it out of my tank? Will it harm other livestock while it dies? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krux Posted March 15, 2009 Share Posted March 15, 2009 the decomp will not be beneficial Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vanz Posted March 15, 2009 Share Posted March 15, 2009 Yeah it doesn't look too good. Most of the skeleton is already showing. How did you acclimate? That looked like it was a very nice piece, sorry dude. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CA2OR Posted March 15, 2009 Share Posted March 15, 2009 could you try that injecting iodide? Is that a dumb question? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parvo99 Posted March 15, 2009 Share Posted March 15, 2009 One day my entire tank started crashing for some unknown reason, and mine looked almost exactly like that in the end. It even had algae growing on several parts of the bare skeleton. Now, it's back healthier than ever. I would try to isolate it so it's not being disturbed at all, and try target feeding something like reefchili, or even crushed flake food. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steelhead77 Posted March 15, 2009 Author Share Posted March 15, 2009 I've got it in my QT right now. It's weird though, like I said, everything else in my tank is doing great. Just this one piece is not looking good. I'm not sure if I should take it back to the LFS (not to get my money back, but to see if they can offer any guidance) or just wait and see. In the end though, I do think it's too far gone to save. (sad) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impur Posted March 15, 2009 Share Posted March 15, 2009 I would give it a chance. Just a sliver of flesh is enough to regrow. I've done it numerous times with LPS corals. Give it steady params and let it be in your QT for awhile. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tigerv503 Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 How about your water flow? these types of corals don't do well it direct high water flow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fakkzz Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 It really looked like it would have been gorgeous. Sorry it is not healthy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steelhead77 Posted March 17, 2009 Author Share Posted March 17, 2009 Yeah, it pretty much melted away right before my eyes. My Purple Tang was even feasting on it's flesh. I ended up taking it back to the LFS. I was sad to see it go. Those are my favorite types of corals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
downhill_biker Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 these corals are very sensitive. it is very hard to keep self control, because they are so gorgeous. you really need to let them live in the fish store for a couple weeks. that way if they die, they can take care of it with their supplier. i bought two super sweet lobos a couple months back. bought them the day they came in. unfortunately they both died. i would highly recommend if you see one you love, just ask the store if they will hold it for a couple weeks to make sure it survives. go ahead and pay for it, and let it stay at the LFS for a while. as far as food. i feed mine mysis, squid, clams, ect. they like moderate flow, and moderate light. i keep mine in the sand under 2x250w halides. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason7504 Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 dont lobo's and most LPS corals eat bigger stuff like silversides or krill? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steelhead77 Posted March 18, 2009 Author Share Posted March 18, 2009 Good advice Db. I'll keep that in mind next time I purchase something that pretty and that spendy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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