Hammer coral help

[thisguy1]

Hi I need some advice. I have a orange branching hammer coral that I’ve had for a few weeks. It was puffy open looked happy and then 3 days ago I started to close up and I have no idea why. I have other hammer corals that are doing just fine that are open and happy even splitting. Last night while looking at my tank I noticed my frogspawn is also splitting. I test my water even went to TWO LFS near me they tested my water and everything is fine. But I did noticed that the orange hammer is also growing I’ve noticed 4 baby heads are growing. I’ve read that hammer can close up to conserve energy when sprouting news heads but idk I was wondering if anyone had any advice. Here’s some pics.

 

[Mr. Crabs]

Check for aiptasia

 

[thisguy1]

Check for aiptasia

Yea I’ve been looking at my tank for a few days and I don’t see any. It’ll open a little then shrink again it was fine for 3 weeks.

 

[Mr. Crabs]

Yea I’ve been looking at my tank for a few days and I don’t see any. It’ll open a little then shrink again it was fine for 3 weeks.

Are you feeding?

 

[thisguy1]

Are you feeding?

I feed reef roids and mysis shrimps that’s it. I usually feed once or twice a week.

 

[Mr. Crabs]

I feed reef roids and mysis shrimps that’s it. I usually feed once or twice a week.

My best advice is to not touch it and hope for the best. Touching the corals stresses them. I wish I could be more help!

 

[thisguy1]

My best advice is to not touch it and hope for the best. Touching the corals stresses them. I wish I could be more help!

Anything is better than nothing honestly. But thank you anyways

 

[MaxxuM]

Hammer's are like canaries in coalmine. They can tell you when something is becoming a problem; and it's usually something about the water if you've had them while and it happens suddenly. If you're running carbon switch it out for ChemiPure. If you're running GFO reduce it by half or stop for a few days. Replace any filter pads/floss. Test your water pH, ammonia, nitrates, salinity and ALK. Then do a water change. In other words, the shotgun approach. It's minimally invasive and just good practice.