First ever coral!

GruntSmash

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Bought my first coral frag from petco.
Yes I know petco/PetSmart typically suck butt but the petco here is amazing.
I can order anything, get discounts and we have amazing people.
He’s been in my tank for about 24 hours.
At the shop he stood up straight, now he looks like this.
Maybe just still shock from travel?
20250925_190451_FA5B8CAC-2FD0-4BC7-B378-AB7FA6CAAB76.png
 

Utubereefer

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Might just be a flow issue. It may do better in another spot. My first coral was a toadstool leather from petco in 2017 and I still have a piece of it.
Han Solo Good Luck GIF by Star Wars
 

Kasrift

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Bought my first coral frag from petco.
Yes I know petco/PetSmart typically suck butt but the petco here is amazing.
I can order anything, get discounts and we have amazing people.
He’s been in my tank for about 24 hours.
At the shop he stood up straight, now he looks like this.
Maybe just still shock from travel?
20250925_190451_FA5B8CAC-2FD0-4BC7-B378-AB7FA6CAAB76.png
For starters, it isn't SPS. This is a leather coral of some type. Flow will be what affects it in terms of it "standing up".

Petcos get a bad rap, but I have one near me as well where they actually have someone who knows how to care for their marine tanks and inhabitants.
 
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GruntSmash

GruntSmash

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Bought my first coral frag from petco.
Yes I know petco/PetSmart typically suck butt but the petco here is amazing.
I can order anything, get discounts and we have amazing people.
He’s been in my tank for about 24 hours.
At the shop he stood up straight, now he looks like this.
Maybe just still shock from travel?
20250925_190451_FA5B8CAC-2FD0-4BC7-B378-AB7FA6CAAB76.png
For starters, it isn't SPS. This is a leather coral of some type. Flow will be what affects it in terms of it "standing up".

Petcos get a bad rap, but I have one near me as well where they actually have someone who knows how to care for their marine tanks and inhabitants.
Well hey thanks.
I think it’s a pink Kenya tree or something like that.
Our petco is amazing.
 

machliwala

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Bought my first coral frag from petco.
Yes I know petco/PetSmart typically suck butt but the petco here is amazing.
I can order anything, get discounts and we have amazing people.
He’s been in my tank for about 24 hours.
At the shop he stood up straight, now he looks like this.
Maybe just still shock from travel?
20250925_190451_FA5B8CAC-2FD0-4BC7-B378-AB7FA6CAAB76.png
Leather corals will do that occasionally usually in response to change. After they adjust to the change they are usually ok though it could take a few days I wouldn't worry about it
 
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GruntSmash

GruntSmash

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Bought my first coral frag from petco.
Yes I know petco/PetSmart typically suck butt but the petco here is amazing.
I can order anything, get discounts and we have amazing people.
He’s been in my tank for about 24 hours.
At the shop he stood up straight, now he looks like this.
Maybe just still shock from travel?
20250925_190451_FA5B8CAC-2FD0-4BC7-B378-AB7FA6CAAB76.png
Leather corals will do that occasionally usually in response to change. After they adjust to the change they are usually ok though it could take a few days I wouldn't worry about it
Thanks!
All my parameters are in check and I through some aqua forest growth stuff in it today.
 

BonnieB

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I believe it is a Kenya Tree leather (looks exactly like mine). It needs a decent medium indirect flow. It will shrink up at night and open when the lights come back on. It adapts well to just about anywhere in the tank as long as the flow is good. Mine is on the sand in the back and I’ve had to frag it twice already it’s grown so much. Just spotted new growth yesterday. They are known for letting some of their brackets go and then you will have more sprout up in different (perhaps unwanted) places in the tank. I try to frag mine before that happens. And to answer your question, most likely it is acclimating to its new environment but as a softie it will be more resilient to adapt to the changes!
 

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