green star polyp dying ?!?!

[v32]

hi everyone! hope you’re well.

i had a small drag of gsp on a small rock (away from my scape) and it started to encrust and probably about tripled in size over 5 months or so. it hasn’t opened in a few days almost a week now. even though i saw no algae i turkey bastered it with water, scrubbed gently with a soft brush and still i see nothing. i’ll attach a pic. (magnifying glass is smudged, sorry for quality)

i have an sps dominant tank with a BTA and some LPS. everything else is perfectly fine and happy - colorful, meaty, polyps extended, bubbles bubbled

and somehow the “weed” is having trouble growing. i love the way it looks isolated on a rock completely covering it so i’d love any advice on what’s wrong and what else i can do because i enjoy my gsp

 

[exnisstech]

Can you get a pic under white light? That green area on the first images looks strange and not like GSP polyps that I'm used to seeing.

 

[v32]

sure. it’s so weird i don’t get it either it looks like green slime like it’s dying.

 

[FUNGI]

Looks like you detritus/sand on the purple skin....maybe try increasing water flow over the frag....

 

[exnisstech]

Must have been something florescent. Like @FUNGI mentioned try blowing it off. My GSP loves flow and light. I have it on the back wall of my SPS tank it it gets blown around a lot and is under 500 par.



EDIT: It grows well also. I have to scrape it off the wier every few weeks.
I had forgotten but when I started the hobby i could not keep GSP alive. I have no idea why so it's isn't helpful but a few years later and a different tank and it thrives.

 

[v32]

it’s so weird that’s just from now from me moving it but there’s really nothing on it to be honest. the flow is strong it’s always blowing around so nice and fluffy /:

should i dip it?

 

[exnisstech]

I didn't realize you moved it. I probably wouldn't dip it with no signs of pests. I I've had them sulk for a week or two after being handled so maybe Just keep an eye on it. Any time the coral is touched or moved it's like a reset.

 

[v32]

it had been closed for a week now, i’ll give it another