Is this trachy thriving or upset?

[Edgeworth]

I have a trachyphyllia that is puffed up like a beachball; easily 8 times its uninflated size! (I'd estimate it's 3.5 inches across uninflated, and 8 inches across when inflated.) It deflates at night, but its feeding tentacles do not come out.

Either it's thriving, or it's unhappy with its location and trying to drift away on the current. Might anyone know which it is?

I added it to my tank a couple of weeks ago, and it's sitting on the sandbed in about 100 par and moderate flow. Tank parameters: Nitrate 1.4, Phosphate 0.1, dKH 8.1. Tank is about 8 months old.

 

[dvgyfresh]

I have never had a trachy before , but it looks upset? Are they supposed to be that puffy?

 

[Edgeworth]

They're supposed to be puffy, but I don't know if they're supposed to be that puffy.

 

[dvgyfresh]

They're supposed to be puffy, but I don't know if they're supposed to be that puffy.

The reason I ask because it looks like what an elegance coral would do when it is sick or irritated - they get unusually puffy like a balloon

 

[Edgeworth]

The reason I ask because it looks like what an elegance coral would do when it is sick or irritated - they get unusually puffy like a balloon

Huh. That's a useful data point. Thank you!

 

[Mike.]

don't plates puff up when they want to move positions? I wonder if it is something like that.

 

[PointerReefs]

I have a Trachy and it will sometimes get extra bloated, not often. But it could be something is upsetting it like too much flow or light but it might just be acclimating if it’s been moved recently. In my opinion. Should be fine. If it stays like that for days on end I’d probably be concerned though. Do you spot feed it? They like mysis and powdered foods atleast once a week

 

[Edgeworth]

It’s been about a week of looking like a volleyball, so I hope it calms down soon!

I’ve tried spot feeding, and it will eat mysis that falls near its mouth. But no sign of the feeding tentacles.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

IDK what it means but I think its a good thing. My trachy does that on and off for 5 years now, I love it when it inflates actually, it makes me feel likes it happy.

 

[DSC reef]

That trachy is looking good. They puff up and deflate time to time, perfectly normal. Yours looks great. Heres how mine would look from day to day

 

[Edgeworth]

Thanks for the advice! I’ve nudged the Trachy into slightly lower flow, but won’t make big changes. Will wait and see.

 

[hoardingcorals]

I don't think the hobby knows enough about trachyphyllia to identify when puffing up more than usual is a sign that the coral is happy or unhappy. We can't really say whether it is settling in or trying to jump ship, only that it is likely trying to move. Are the rest of your corals happy? No recent losses? That might give a little clue to whether it is happy.

Given the algae on the rocks and possible dinoflagellates on the substrate, I would guess that it might not be happy with the conditions. Some dinos can be toxic to corals. When I had really bad dinos my trachys slowly withered away, although that could be coincidental. It may be worth confirming the species of dinos and addressing that issue to keep your trachy happy.

I suspect your phosphate is only 0.1 because all of that algae is soaking it up. Although, keeping phosphates (and nitrates) elevated may help in eradicating dinos.

One good indicator of health to keep an eye on is the flesh band. It should wrap around to the underside of the coral. If you see bright white skeleton it is likely receding. In my experience, once you start to see the sharp fin-like parts of the skeleton it becomes a lot harder to reverse. I've had some that appeared happy, puffing up, good color, eating well, etc., while the tissue continued to receed, so you don't want to assume it is healthy without checking. To minimize handling, you can use something to pry the coral up off the substrate a bit to check underneath, or you may be able to check without touching it by checking while it is deflated.