One Candy cane coral head receding

[jenfiandra]

What do you make of this? Could it be a lighting issue or flow issue? I have a candy cane on the exact opposite side of tank that is thriving (photo in comments to not confuse the two). All other corals seem ok other than a few Zoa individual heads closed. My parameters hold steady but phosphate is high, I’ve been working to get it down and it has come down but still too high.

It looks like it’s spreading to the adjacent head. No slime or brown, just looks dried up. Todays readings are:

Salinity 1.024 tropical main hydrometer
Nitrate 11.9 - Hanna
Phosphate 0.18 Hanna
Alk 8.3 salifert
Calcium 435 salifert
I didn’t test mag today and don’t on a regular basis after reading Randy’s article about not testing for mag if others are in range it’s usually good

Let me know your thoughts and suggestions…

 

[jenfiandra]

exact opposite side looks fluffy

 

[BigDangler]

Seems like ya got an aptasia problem going on there.. getting stung

Edit: between the first and second pic idk if they reach that far and sting? but is that not aptasia?

 

[jenfiandra]

Seems like ya got an aptasia problem going on there.. getting stung

Edit: between the first and second pic idk if they reach that far and sting? but is that not aptasia?

It’s a hitchhiker from Tampa Bay Saltwater that is in the aiptasia family but not the prolific kind. It’s actual tentacles can’t reach (I don’t think) but may it’s throwing off something longer that I haven’t noticed? I think I’ll move the candy cane tomorrow to somewhere else to see if that helps. Thx!

 

[BigDangler]

Seems like ya got an aptasia problem going on there.. getting stung

Edit: between the first and second pic idk if they reach that far and sting? but is that not aptasia?

It’s a hitchhiker from Tampa Bay Saltwater that is in the aiptasia family but not the prolific kind. It’s actual tentacles can’t reach (I don’t think) but may it’s throwing off something longer that I haven’t noticed? I think I’ll move the candy cane tomorrow to somewhere else to see if that helps. Thx!

Check it when the lights are out.. Use your phone flashlight and see it's sweepers how far they hang out.. Corals usually have feelers out at night for particles..