New Sarcophyton (sp.)

Just got my Leather Toadstool today. The head is about 3 inches wide, and the stalk is about 2 inches tall. It has tentacles covering a little more than half of the head, and they've extended to about 1/4 of a centimeter so far. It's been in the tank about an hour now. The stalk does not support the weight of the head, it just flops around. I glued the rock it came on to a little bit bigger rock, and I keep turning it so that the head is in the light. I'm sure this is a little excessive, but I want to see it support its own weight and open up towards the light. I guess this will just take some time. How long should I expect it to take this guy to look a little healthier and support its own weight?



I will post a picture as soon as I get home from doing my math homework at my university library.

 

When I got mine, it was quite wrinkled for the first 6 hours or so, and by the next day it was looking much more full. It took a couple of days for it to be fully out though, so don't panic. I've heard of some people saying theirs were closed for a good few days, but they're a pretty hardy coral as far as I am aware. And then there's the added bonus that your clowns may host it, too!

 

Yea thats what I'm hoping, I didn't get home til late last night, but when I get out of class today I'll post a picture of it. When I turned the lights on this morning, I noticed that it had tentacles fully covering the head now, and it looked like it was starting to spread out.

 

good luck with your toadstool

 

Lots of flow can help with this problem. If it still persists tho, a little surgery reducing the stalk will work wonders. :

 

well I could put it in a spot with lots of flow, I have 2 hydor koralia 4. I was worried about it coming detached from the rock its on if I gave it too much flow. Should I just position it so the powerhead pushes the toadstool straight?

 

Stonewilled

IME - place your toadstool where the flow from the Korallia would go over the top of the head section, rather than point it directly at the stalk

constantly moving it will not be helping as it will not feel secure and thus will not fully extend itself

I have had these where a 5 inch stem was supporting a 8 - 10 inch head without any problem

so dont worry if it takes a day or 3 to start to expand fully
I have had these closed down for a week or more when shedding skin and they come back larger and more beautiful than they where before.

Steve

 

Yea, mine is shedding right now. just let the flow blow over the top?? k I can do that. Thanks for the tip!

 

Just got finished testing params.

PH: 8.2
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 10-20 ppm looks closer to twenty
I just ordered a lot more snails and some mangroves from reefcleaners.org so hopefully that will help lower my nitrates