Is my torch pooping or something else?

Sushiboy225 · Dec 25, 2020

Hello, I just saw a long black string coming out of my torch coral while all the tentacles were retracted. My hands were full so I couldn’t immediately go look at it but when I came back to look the black string was gone and I noticed the torch’s mouth was open and some black stuff coming out of it. Was it pooping or was that a sweeper tentacle I saw?I know of the torch’s mouth is open that’s usually not a good sign unless eating or pooping

Emptyness · Dec 25, 2020

I think that's sign of stress and your coral is expelling some zooxanthellen.
I would check the water parameters and/or lights and flow.

Sushiboy225 · Dec 25, 2020

Emptyness said:
I think that's sign of stress and your coral is expelling some zooxanthellen.
I would check the water parameters and/or lights and flow.

Ok thank you. What do you think that is coming out of the mouth?

DIAZ REEF · Dec 25, 2020

I’m no expert but if you don’t have your flow head or pumps off then your torch me should get moved to better flow. In my experience that stuff that comes out is poo. The only time my torche is flopped down like that is when I spot feed and turn everything off.

Emptyness · Dec 25, 2020

I am not an expert and personally don't have torches (yet) and maybe it is just a poop. But if I were you, I would test any water parameter I can (have a test for) just for the piece of mind.

And I will closely monitor this coral and see if it acts abnormal (not extending properly, beginning to bleach, "pooping" often, etc.).

kartrsu · Jan 12, 2021

Emptyness said:
I am not an expert and personally don't have torches (yet) and maybe it is just a poop. But if I were you, I would test any water parameter I can (have a test for) just for the piece of mind.

And I will closely monitor this coral and see if it acts abnormal (not extending properly, beginning to bleach, "pooping" often, etc.).

^ this 100%. Have you changed lighting by any chance? I am acclimating my torches to higher light, and in doing so, it expels a little zooxanthellae each time to regulate its population. Still doing really well!