DEAD OR DYING DUNCAN?

[moneyman]

I don't know what happens but just earlier today my duncan was doing fine. But all the sudden he looks like THIS. I dont know what happens. Help me please!

 

[CoralsComeInMoreColors]

sorry to say but it looks completely dead, what are your tank parameters? duncans are pretty hardy corals, but since that much skeleton is showing which no lps should do, I am saying its dead. if you can get better pictures so i can confirm it would be great.

 

[moneyman]

I have no idea what could have caused death. This might sound stupid but I think he may have eaten his tentacles. It just appears that way Becuase it looks like there is green on his mouth. I am trying to get better pictures

 

[CoralsComeInMoreColors]

so its not fully fully gone yet, but it looks pretty dead, they dont eat their own tentacles, what are ur tank parameters
how old is the tank

 

[SliceGolfer]

What fish or shrimp are in the tank? Looks eaten by a peppermint shrimp to me.

 

[moneyman]

We just had a tank move about 5 months back and I got the duncan a little over a month ago. Parameters are:
Temp: 78f
Salt: 31.9 ppt
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 0
pH: 8.2
Alk: 120
I know my salinity is low and I have been raising it. I don't think the Duncan is taking nicely to this Becuase he always closes after I raise it, but nothing like this. I also have a coral beauty in the tank but I haven't seen it eat corals. Everything else is thriving so I have no idea

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

While I agree that the pictures seem to show a damaged/sick duncan, they aren't terribly clear and photos under white lights would help.
How long have you had the coral?
Sometimes, corals just retract and nothing is wrong... Assuming we're all wrong about the coral being damaged, you may just need to give it time to open back up.

 

[moneyman]

I have had the Duncan for over a month. My judgement isn't perfect but it seems to me the tentacles are GONE. Should I try feeding maybe?

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

We just had a tank move about 5 months back and I got the duncan a little over a month ago. Parameters are:
Temp: 78f
Salt: 31.9 ppt
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 0
pH: 8.2
Alk: 120
I know my salinity is low and I have been raising it. I don't think the Duncan is taking nicely to this Becuase he always closes after I raise it, but nothing like this. I also have a coral beauty in the tank but I haven't seen it eat corals. Everything else is thriving so I have no idea

Ok, so that answers one of my questions (we were posting at the same time, lol). Nitrates at 0 is never good. You may be starving your corals.
And you're right -- corals won't tolerate low salinity. Raise this as soon as you can, but not by more than 1 ppm per 12 hours.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

I have had the Duncan for over a month. My judgement isn't perfect but it seems to me the tentacles are GONE. Should I try feeding maybe?

Do not try to target feed a sick coral (or anemone). The lack of nutrients in you water though, is a problem.

 

[moneyman]

How do I raise nitrate

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

How do I raise nitrate

You need to make salinity the priority. You're very low. As for nitrates, what are your current methods of nutrients export? (Skimmer, filter sock, refugium, carbon dosing, etc)

 

[moneyman]

I don't dose anything, but I occasionally feed them all reef roids. I have a skimmer and a filter sponge. That is pretty much it.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

I don't dose anything, but I occasionally feed them all reef roids. I have a skimmer and a filter sponge. That is pretty much it.

You can feed the tank (fish) more and/or remove the skimmer cup (so it still provides gas exchange but doesn't remove nutrients). What is you phosphate level?

 

[moneyman]

I don't have a phosphate test kit but it seems he is opening a bit. Is he? He just looks a little more opened than before

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

I don't have a phosphate test kit but it seems he is opening a bit. Is he? He just looks a little more opened than before

Post pics under white lights.

 

[Spare time]

We just had a tank move about 5 months back and I got the duncan a little over a month ago. Parameters are:
Temp: 78f
Salt: 31.9 ppt
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 0
pH: 8.2
Alk: 120
I know my salinity is low and I have been raising it. I don't think the Duncan is taking nicely to this Becuase he always closes after I raise it, but nothing like this. I also have a coral beauty in the tank but I haven't seen it eat corals. Everything else is thriving so I have no idea

What test kits?

What about phosphate?

0 nitrate is likely a problem. Alk is also low. What about calcium?

 

[moneyman]

Under whites

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

I don't have a phosphate test kit but it seems he is opening a bit. Is he? He just looks a little more opened than before

Ultimately, my advice to you right now is:
1. Get salinity up (but make sure your salinity tester is properly calibrated)
2. Raise nutrients overall by feeding more heavily.
3. If a coral retracts, don't immediately assume there is something wrong. Give it a day or so before worrying.

 

[EricR]

I don't know anything about Duncans but did you say:
It looked fine earlier today? *maybe define what "fine" means
Is that chunk out of the side of the skeleton new or was it always like that but still extending?