New birdsnest frag. Bleaching?

Discussion in 'SPS Corals' started by Mobalized, Nov 5, 2011.

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  1. Mobalized

    Mobalized Teardrop Maxima Clam

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    So I bought a small frag of birds nest last night. It looked great in the store, when I got it home and tried to get it off the plug (which I failed at) I think I bumped the base of it with my finger kind of hard and that area seemed to have retracted down to the white skeleton. The rest of the frag all looks great but its been roughly 16 hours and that spot hasnt started looking better. (this is my first sps) will this be a issue?
     
    Mobalized, Nov 5, 2011
    Mobalized, Nov 5, 2011
    #1

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  2. djbonney138

    djbonney138 Peppermint Shrimp

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    I have been fairly rough while placing my birdsnests in different place and have always had them extend their polyps at least by the next day. I don't think a bump would do any long term damage. If the skeleton isn't bone white where you bumped it I think you are fine.
     
    djbonney138, Nov 5, 2011
    djbonney138, Nov 5, 2011
    #2
  3. reefmonkey

    reefmonkey Giant Squid

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    Just watch it and if the dead area begins to slowly grow in size dip it in CoralRx, Lugols or tincture of iodine.
    Follow the directions on the first two if you use one of them. If you use the tincture mix it 15 drops in a liter of tank water. Bathe the coral for 2-3 minutes and then rinse in a container of clean tank water. That will kill any bacteria that causes slow tissue necrosis. You may need to treat a couple times.
     
    reefmonkey, Nov 5, 2011
    reefmonkey, Nov 5, 2011
    #3
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  4. Mobalized

    Mobalized Teardrop Maxima Clam

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    I will keep a eye on it for the next day and see what happens. If no improvement I will follow the dip procedure. The polyps still appear to have a bit of green to them but its the skeleton area that is white. The area has not grown. I was hoping the color would be back by now. It is directly under a 150w metal halide with high flow.
     
    Mobalized, Nov 5, 2011
    Mobalized, Nov 5, 2011
    #4
  5. Mobalized

    Mobalized Teardrop Maxima Clam

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    Another day still no improvement, doesnt look any worse either.
     
    Mobalized, Nov 6, 2011
    Mobalized, Nov 6, 2011
    #5
  6. gabbyr189

    gabbyr189 Bubble Tip Anemone

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    Sometimes it takes a long time for corals to come back, especially sps. If it doesn't get any worse just leave it. Birds nests are usually pretty hardy. Although a dip usually doesn't hurt a coral. If it starts to spread, I would just cut off bad section and reglue it to a new plug or rock. I have had very good experience with sps in my tank, but occasionally one will take several months to color up. And occasionally one dies - so don't lose hope on the birds nest or other sps! Good luck!!
     
    gabbyr189, Nov 6, 2011
    gabbyr189, Nov 6, 2011
    #6