Odd growth on hammer

[Chuck_e]

Hey. A couple of days ago I noticed a growth on the bottom of one of my Hammers. The coral is about 3 yrs old, and generally healthy.

This first picture is in the morning before the lights come on:



And this second one is about half-way through the light cycle:



The growth is soft, and moves with the water flow. No noticeable changes to polyp extension since this started. It even has a couple of polyps sticking out from the bottom.

Parameters are stable -
NO3 17 ppm
PO4 0.16 ppm
Ca 425ish
kH 8ish
Mg 1250ish

Not overly concerned, unless someone thinks I should be. More curious than anything else...

Thanks!!

 

[Sam7]

hmm ?? Dont know free bump

 

[Naso180!]

Possibly a form of buddingvor Autonomy? AkA a piece with skeleton on it bailing out. A form of reproduction in some corals. Not sure about hammers though. Just a thought honestly

 

[VintageReefer]

A polyp is dying and this is the polyp dripping / melting out of the skeleton.

If you trace it up, it will come from a skeletal head.

If/when this turns to jelly mush, it should be removed from the colony

 

[Chuck_e]

K. That makes sense. Would it be a bad idea to proactively cut it out?

 

[VintageReefer]

K. That makes sense. Would it be a bad idea to proactively cut it out?

Not at all. Cut as close to the main trunk as possible. Do a dip with lugols if you have it. Seal/plug the cut site with a layer of super glue gel.

 

[Chuck_e]

Not at all. Cut as close to the main trunk as possible. Do a dip with lugols if you have it. Seal/plug the cut site with a layer of super glue gel.

Got it. Thanks!!