Green Tree Coral problems

Hello,

I have a 20g tank, with soft corals (red mushroom, green star polyps and a green tree coral).

In the past week, I've noticed that the base of the green tree coral seems to be "drying up" - its turing brown, and the texture is changing. Its getting worse, and slowly moving up.

I've had this coral for several years - no problems until the past week.

I've put a photo of it here:
http://wrjohnston.net/storage/IMAG0090.jpg

Any idea's what's happening and how to stop it?

Thanks

 

Well, I have allot of Kenya tree another type of softy and I have noticed the as they get larger the bases of them tend to change color and look a little "calcareous". I do not know if that is whats happening to yours but it might be.

In any case I would watch them, and if it keeps traveling I would "frag" or cut them off and see if you can get them to attach to a piece of rock rubble. I "sew" mine on to small pieces of rock with a thread of a similar color and a needle. after it has attached you can trim the threads off or not that is up to you, then you can glue the rock where ever you want to.

 

Welcome to 3reef!!! I wish it was under better circumstances.

You are having necrosis from something.....most likely a bacterial infection. I would probably try a Lugol's Solution dip on just the base only. If that doesn't stop the necrosis from spreading, you'll likely have to frag it into healthy tissue and rubber band it to some rubble until it reattaches.

 

Should I be worried about this spreading to my other corals?

I've never used Lugol's before. I've found instructions for Kent's that discussing dipping:
To use as a dip for corals, in a separate bucket add 40 drops Lugol`s Solution to 1 gallon aquarium water, and immerse coral for 10-15 minutes.

Is this what I should do?

I have Kent's concentrated iodine - can I use this instead?

Thanks
William

 

William,

The Kent website is not giving me much help to answer your question.

I would assume that your product has no elemental Iodine and is merely a chelated Iodide. If I'm correct, it would have no anti-bacterial capabilities.

EDIT: I doubt this will spread to other corals.

 

I also have a green tree.....green sinularia. It's base is also turned a brownish color, kind of looks like diatoms but doesn't rub off. This, IME, is normal with tree corals. I've had the same thing happen with all of my kenyas and colts. To me, it symbolizes the coral getting stronger to support the swaying tree structure.

 

Welcome to 3 reef, sorry I didn't see that you were new here and did not welcome you properly!

That is what I think too, All of mine have that same look at the bottom including my Devil Hand and Toadstool's. But Inwall75 has a point it could be necrosis. You can try to dip it but in my experience with dipping already stressed corals like that all it tends to do is hasten the demise.

If it is necrosis the tissue that is already dead needs to be removed. I would watch it for a short time longer an if it doesn't stop cut them off at least a 1/4 to 1/2 inch above the dead stuff and dispose of the left over stumps and mount the cuttings.

Oh and the Iodine you have is indeed not for dipping it is for dosing or replacing the Iodine that has been absorbed by corals and fish in the tank.

 

I'm having trouble finding lugul's solution - my local fish store doesn't carry it, but can order it for me. Would it be something I could find at a pharmacy (CVS or Walgreens)?

I had found the Kent's instructions via marinedepot.com here:
http://c2.f3images.com/IMD/UserManuals/KM3611.pdf

Thanks
William

 

Some pharmacies will have it, others won't. It's easiest to call ahead. This is a product that is now used illegally in the manufacture of controlled substances and now cannot be sold in amounts larger than 1 oz anymore. Some pharmacies decided to just stop selling it rather than deal with the hassle.