Heliofunghia partial bleaching, why?

[BlurCaze]

Hi,
Just wondering if anyone knows what could cause 1/6 of a helio to bleach?
It sits on the sand with ample light and flow. It does sadly sometimes get sprinkled with sand by Gobi. I would use a turkey baster to blow them off whenever I see it.
Today, I notice a coat of algae growing on the section so took it out and clear it with the baster. Soaked in peroxide for 10 minutes.
The polyps are slowly coming out. Would sand sprinkles have caused this?
Thank you

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Sand can cause damage to corals if left on the coral for enough time. But usually it looks like a slightly whitish area once you blow the sand off, and usually it heals quickly, I've never seen such severe damage from sand covering. It might be possible the sand did that, but I think likely not. Perhaps an aptaisia is growing there... aptaisia would cause that kind of damage.

 

[VintageReefer]

Sand irritation. Leading cause of plate death. Irritates, then recedes, then sand gets in the skeleton and causes damage

 

[BlurCaze]

Sand can cause damage to corals if left on the coral for enough time. But usually it looks like a slightly whitish area once you blow the sand off, and usually it heals quickly, I've never seen such severe damage from sand covering. It might be possible the sand did that, but I think likely not. Perhaps an aptaisia is growing there... aptaisia would cause that kind of damage.

Thanks! I regularly zaps the aiptasia whenever i see one.
Chance of recovering if I keep it off sand ?

 

[BlurCaze]

Sand irritation. Leading cause of plate death. Irritates, then recedes, then sand gets in the skeleton and causes damage

Thank you, that was my suspicion. Chance of having the tissue grow back?

 

[VintageReefer]

Thanks! I regularly zaps the aiptasia whenever i see one.
Chance of recovering if I keep it off sand ?

Your chances are increased if you keep sand and algae off that skeleton, and if you can get it to eat

 

[thamnasteroid]

Heliofungias (actiniformis) don't fare well in captivity. Probably wasn't your fault this happened.

PS, this is tissue loss, not bleaching.

 

[BlurCaze]

Thanks! I regularly zaps the aiptasia whenever i see one.
Chance of recovering if I keep it off sand ?

Your chances are increased if you keep sand and algae off that skeleton, and if you can get it to eat

Sounds great! It was feeding fine even before I discovered the damaged part. Not happy after peroxide dip yesterday afternoon but the polyps came out (short) last night will give it 1-2 days before I feed

 

[Danjoethepirate]

Looks more like fungia than heliofungia, but sand is definitely a leading cause of mortality for them. Keep the skeleton clear of debris and it should heal quickly, if it was healthy prior. But definitely move it out of the sand. If it does die leave it in the tank, they can pop out babies months and even years later.

 

[Danjoethepirate]

Were the tentacles like a torch or shorter? Just curious.

 

[BlurCaze]

It's long and waves in the current. Pic is stumpy after feeding last week.

 

[BlurCaze]

 

[VintageReefer]

Like this?