HELP! whats wrong with my leather coral?

[MikeD88]

My leather coral has a few bald spots on it... could something be slowly eating it? Or is this normal for leathers? All my parameters are spot on. I have a oc clown, midas blenny, hippo tang, and a bangi cardinal for fish. I have a good CUC, torch coral, dendro colony, duncan frag, Yellow fiji leather, colt coral, frogspawn, encrusting gorgonian, and a Bazooka joe chalice. Everything in my tank seems to be happy and thriving. Please help, and thank you very much!

By The way, My water tests as follows:

Salinity: 1.025
Ammonia: 0
Nitrate:0
Nitrite:0
PH: 8.2
Temp: 76 degrees
Calcium: 450

 

[BlazinNano]

How close is that frogspawn to it? Is there anything that could be stinging it?

 

[Cuda]

It should not be touching other corals.

 

[amore169]

I never had that type of leather but i have the green one wich does something similar when it starts fragging itself.

 

[MikeD88]

How close is that frogspawn to it? Is there anything that could be stinging it?

I know the picture makes things look close, however, everything is VERY spaced apart. Nothing is even close to it... I have a bad feeling I might have something munching on it. Please tell me I'm wrong

 

[MikeD88]

It should not be touching other corals.

The angle at which the picture was taken makes them look close, however that frogspawn when completely open... is about 6-8 inches away from the leather. There is nothing even close to it.

 

[BlazinNano]

I think if something was munching on it that would be around the edge. Nothing is near it so nothing can sting it..... Nothing on the fish list seems like it would do that... Could anything else have touched it like kalk paste, joe's juice, sand sit on it and not get blown off for a while, ect.....

 

[MikeD88]

I think if something was munching on it that would be around the edge. Nothing is near it so nothing can sting it..... Nothing on the fish list seems like it would do that... Could anything else have touched it like kalk paste, joe's juice, sand sit on it and not get blown off for a while, ect.....

Not that I can think of, its funny though... it seems like it has something to do with it shedding. Both times that i noticed a bald spot, was right around the time it opened back up after shedding.

 

[BlazinNano]

Could be. I would just watch at night when the lights have been off for an hour or so and see if anything is nippin at it. But the shedding probably is right.

 

[MikeD88]

Could be. I would just watch at night when the lights have been off for an hour or so and see if anything is nippin at it. But the shedding probably is right.

I've watched the tank hours on end at night and have never seen anything near it. I know my midas blenny always perches around it, and sleeps curled in the rock that it is on. But I've never seen anything out. The coral always looks really nice and healthy besides these spots. Do you think it might just be normal? The only reason I doubt it is because the bald spots don't show any signs of regrowth.

 

[BlazinNano]

Do they get bigger or are there new ones?

 

[MikeD88]

Do they get bigger or are there new ones?

There seems to be new ones. It started with the 1 circle spot (I think it was there from purchase at my LFS). Now there are 2 other odd shaped spots.

 

[BlazinNano]

Now I have no idea. Other then the spots is it healthy?

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

I would also say that it is fragging itself or reproducing! :D My green tyree does this.

 

[MikeD88]

Now I have no idea. Other then the spots is it healthy?

Very healthy!

 

[MikeD88]

I would also say that it is fragging itself or reproducing! :D My green tyree does this.

I really hope so... so does this mean it will eventualy split small pieces off of itself to float off and become a new frag?

 

[gparr]

It's fragging itself. It doesn't look stressed at all. Yes, small pieces will fall off and you'll have baby leathers.
Gary

 

[MikeD88]

It's fragging itself. It doesn't look stressed at all. Yes, small pieces will fall off and you'll have baby leathers.
Gary

Ok cool, Thanks alot everyone!

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Yep just as Gary said! :D

 

[starfish]

The leather seems happy. Its the outer skin that is missing. If these areas start to rot it will look pitted and you will see flesh coming off. I would watch it. I have had them do this and in time the spot will color back up usually when they do a major shed. It looks healthy. Toadstool and umbrella's are very hardy leathers. Don't panic when she closes up and her skin starts sheding like a lizard just means they are growing. Keep us posted.