EMERGENCY! New torch suddenly very unhappy!
- Thread starter kalebos
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vetteguy53081
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For starters, If you have leather corals, this may be part of the issue. Many leather coral species produce and release toxic chemicals, called terpenes, into the water to protect themselves and to stunt the growth of other species. One of the biggest problems I have seen beginner hobbyists have is failing to account for the calcium demand for these corals. If there is insufficient calcium in your aquarium water, these corals will not be able to make their coral skeleton. You should also never lift a torch coral out of the water if you can avoid it. You could tear the polyps, and torn polyps are prone to infection followed by necrosis
Torch require typical parameters including a temperature around 78 degrees, a specific gravity of about 1.025, ph of about 8.2, and a calcium level of about 400 ppm. Like most large polyp stony corals, a torch coral benefits from moderate water flow. The polyps will remain retracted and under-inflated if the water current is too fast because the large flowing polyps are prone to rip and tear in high or ultra-high current environments.
The torch coral is a photosynthetic coral, meaning it has a relationship with symbiotic zooxanthellae (single-cell photosynthetic organisms) that live inside its tissues that converts the light energy into sugar. In exchange for a home inside the coral, the zooxanthellae split their harvest and feed the coral. Therefore, it is possible to keep the Torch coral without any feeding at all. However, all corals are animals, and animals are meant to eat.
The best placement for a torch coral is in a location that gets moderate water flow and moderate-intensity lighting. Torches are aggressive corals that protect themselves by wielding their sweeper tentacles maliciously. Sweeper tentacles are specialized tentacles that extend much larger than the typical tentacles and are equipped with stinging cells. Torches will send out these long tendrils to zap anything nearby within reach.
Torch require typical parameters including a temperature around 78 degrees, a specific gravity of about 1.025, ph of about 8.2, and a calcium level of about 400 ppm. Like most large polyp stony corals, a torch coral benefits from moderate water flow. The polyps will remain retracted and under-inflated if the water current is too fast because the large flowing polyps are prone to rip and tear in high or ultra-high current environments.
The torch coral is a photosynthetic coral, meaning it has a relationship with symbiotic zooxanthellae (single-cell photosynthetic organisms) that live inside its tissues that converts the light energy into sugar. In exchange for a home inside the coral, the zooxanthellae split their harvest and feed the coral. Therefore, it is possible to keep the Torch coral without any feeding at all. However, all corals are animals, and animals are meant to eat.
The best placement for a torch coral is in a location that gets moderate water flow and moderate-intensity lighting. Torches are aggressive corals that protect themselves by wielding their sweeper tentacles maliciously. Sweeper tentacles are specialized tentacles that extend much larger than the typical tentacles and are equipped with stinging cells. Torches will send out these long tendrils to zap anything nearby within reach.
kalebos
Active Member
kalebos
Active Member
Yeah it is. And yes I do see the brown. Thats a new development. If this is indeed brown jelly how worried should i be for my other coral?
Shirak
Valuable Member
No worries! I appreciate the effort to detail as much as you can. Most likely there probably isn't much you could have done differently.
Shirak
Valuable Member
The hammer would be one to watch carefully. Personally I would remove the torch. Turn off all the pumps and gently remove to minimize any possible infected material from remaining in the tank.
Polyp bailout mentioned earlier is an entirely different thing and some healthy tissue may remain in the skeleton which could regrow later.
kalebos
Active Member
Thanks a lot for your help. So in your opinion is this definitely brown jelly and no polyp bailout?
Shirak
Valuable Member
IMO yes it is not polyp bailout. BJD not 100% certain but it kinda looks like it where the brownish mush is between the ridges of the skeleton. BJD is also very stinky.. so if you pull the coral out have a wiff and if it smells really bad that would be another indication. You can also put it in a small container of water and squirt water at the skeleton it with a pipette or turkey baster, or just swish it around and see if some brown muck comes out. Usually it's kinda stringy and slimy looking
kalebos
Active Member
Yeah... he smelled like satan's butthole. You were right, gotta be BJD. Threw him out immediately and just did a 15% water change. Sad day but oh well... I was told there would be pain involved in this hobby lol
kalebos
Active Member
Any advice from here on out? Should I be worried for my softies or just lps? And what are the chances this spreads and decimates everything?
Also is there always a risk for BJD? Or just is hitchhike a ride on someone?
Furthermore... I 100% basted it yesterday because I even knew this stuff existed. It is 100% in my water.
Also is there always a risk for BJD? Or just is hitchhike a ride on someone?
Furthermore... I 100% basted it yesterday because I even knew this stuff existed. It is 100% in my water.
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