Montipora white spots

[Skibum]

Ugh, the title says it all. It started with one white spot 3 days ago, then spread as you see in the pics below. So after copious research, I determined that I MUST have MENS. So after diligently looking at my Montipora (encrusting type) at 3:00 a.m for the last 3 nights, I have yet to find any buggers (adults) crawling around, or egg clutches. I went and bought some coralRx for dipping, did a 8 minute dip tonight... Nothing. No signs of nudis anywhere below, on top, eggs ...nada. I inspected with a flashlight, and bright light. and looked at the water afterwards. I also have a red digi, spongodes, and small cap frag in the aquarium. I didn't see any nudis crawling around.

So this is a head scratcher for me:

Here are my parms over the last 10 days:

No3 Po4 SG PH ALK CA MG

Also, I thought it could be warfare? Debris? The only thing I changed was moving a candy cane next to it, so I doubt that's the cause.

Pic:

 

[Tyler_Fishman]

it looks like something has been taking bites of it, though Im not really sure, parasites are not easy to find, have you tried dipping it? any wrasses in your system?

 

[Tahoe61]

How close is the Candycane? I would let the alk drift down, and could any salt creep be falling the Montipora? Are all other corals doing well?

 

[Skibum]

How close is the Candycane? I would let the alk drift down, and could any salt creep be falling the Montipora? Are all other corals doing well?

Candy cane was about 5" from it, it's not near other corals, other corals (spongodes, digitata, stylo, pavona, slimer, duncan, birdsnest,) all seem to be doing well, the capricornis frag is doing meh. I did reduce my lighting recently from 75% blues to 45% as I thought that may have been high for that level of alk and nutrients. I've had this encrusting monti for 3 months and it's been doing well so far up until the last week.

 

[Skibum]

it looks like something has been taking bites of it, though Im not really sure, parasites are not easy to find, have you tried dipping it? any wrasses in your system?

I just dipped it last night, It does look like it's being bitten, although I can't imagine what, which is why I originally thought nudi's. I do have a LMB, but I haven't seen him go after anything let alone this monti. I moved the coral to a different location as well. This coral was thriving prior to 3 nights ago. I don't have any wrasses currently.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

It does not appear to be in good overall health there.
Is it possible it's just die off?

 

[Flippers4pups]

As a precautionary measure, go hunting at night with lights off using a red light. Looks like you may have a worm issue. Won't know till you investigate.

Bobbits are fast and react/retract to any light source at night. Red light they can't see well.

 

[DSC reef]

If this all has happened in the last 3 days and it has been happy before then I'm going with a pest. I know you haven't seen any but that doesn't mean it's not there. Try not to make changes to quickly. Going on what your saying as far to chemistry being stable then something has to be bothering it. I'll get white spots on my sunburst monti if the alk swings a bit. Also, what fish is a LMB, butterfly? Fish can cause havoc when not looking. Unless you have a camera in the tank you'll never know what coral a fish has interest in.

 

[Flippers4pups]

If this all has happened in the last 3 days and it has been happy before then I'm going with a pest. I know you haven't seen any but that doesn't mean it's not there. Try not to make changes to quickly. Going on what your saying as far to chemistry being stable then something has to be bothering it. I'll get white spots on my sunburst monti if the alk swings a bit.

If my water pramaters swing, mine get a little white at their polyps, but not for long. Op's look like "bite marks".

 

[DSC reef]

If my water pramaters swing, mine get a little white at their polyps, but not for long. Op's look like "bite marks".

I agree, tissue looks eaten.

 

[Skibum]

It does not appear to be in good overall health there.
Is it possible it's just die off?

That pic was taken right after dipping, here it is now:

As a precautionary measure, go hunting at night with lights off using a red light. Looks like you may have a worm issue. Won't know till you investigate.

 

[DSC reef]

The actinic pic is hiding the damage, better to take pics with whites on as well to see if there's any change in the condition.

 

[Skibum]

Now that I think about it, I did notice this translucent cobweb like substance that completely surrounded the plug and the base of the coral, it had a yellowish tint to it, and was growing all underneath and attached to some adjacent rocks as well. When I performed the dip I scrubbed with a toothbrush all that crap off. The red light is a good idea, I need to get one of those. I should have taken a picture of that now that I think about it.

 

[Flippers4pups]

That pic was taken right after dipping, here it is now:

Looks way better.

 

[CMatlosz]

In my experience Monti Nudi's generally cause damage starting from the underside or edges and progress inward. Never seen them consume random spots like that from the center, I think it may be a different issue.

 

[Skibum]

New photo, all whites:

 

[Skibum]

well, If I've eliminated Nudi's as a possibility, that makes me very happy. After 3 days of research, and convincing myself that it was Nudi's those things sound like a nightmare. I'm going to let my alk drift down to 8.5-9 as well. It does look like bite marks, however not tip burn

 

[DSC reef]

It's a nice monti for sure.

 

[Skibum]

If this all has happened in the last 3 days and it has been happy before then I'm going with a pest. I know you haven't seen any but that doesn't mean it's not there. Try not to make changes to quickly. Going on what your saying as far to chemistry being stable then something has to be bothering it. I'll get white spots on my sunburst monti if the alk swings a bit. Also, what fish is a LMB, butterfly? Fish can cause havoc when not looking. Unless you have a camera in the tank you'll never know what coral a fish has interest in.

Lawn Mower Blenny. I've never seen him do anything other than hide under that coral, or go after anything other than algae however.

 

[Skibum]

Just want to say, thanks for all the replies, I'll update the thread with progress photos, better or worse. And see if I can find a cause here.