Quick Montipora cap question, new growth or symptom of another issue?

[Seven Year Nap]

Hello all,

My starburst Monti frag has begun to turn white on the edges and tops of the ridges. It's been in the tank for almost 2 weeks now. I am concerned this might be on the high end for flow. Do you think this is new growth starting or a symptom of another problem such as flow?

Parameters:
Salinity: 1.024
Alk: 9.5 dkh
Calcium: 440
Mag: untested, working on that.
Nitrates: 25
Phosphate: 0.03
Temp: 77f
PAR is approximately 150

There are no pests that I can see on top or the underside of the frag.

Thanks!

 

[shakacuz]

Hello all,

My starburst Monti frag has begun to turn white on the edges and tops of the ridges. It's been in the tank for almost 2 weeks now. I am concerned this might be on the high end for flow. Do you think this is new growth starting or a symptom of another problem such as flow?

Parameters:
Salinity: 1.024
Alk: 9.5 dkh
Calcium: 440
Mag: untested, working on that.
Nitrates: 25
Phosphate: 0.03
Temp: 77f
PAR is approximately 150

There are no pests that I can see on top or the underside of the frag.

Thanks!

bottom right of the frag: there is a corner that looks to be chipped/eaten off(can’t zoom in enough to confirm). since you saw no pests perhaps you didn’t see their eggs?

check at night to see if there’s any “slime” come out from the monti from the edges or underneath. monti eating nudi’s are VERY small when born literal specs of white.

otherwise your nitrate is high for your phosphate to be that low.

 

[Seven Year Nap]

bottom right of the frag: there is a corner that looks to be chipped/eaten off(can’t zoom in enough to confirm). since you saw no pests perhaps you didn’t see their eggs?

check at night to see if there’s any “slime” come out from the monti from the edges or underneath. monti eating nudi’s are VERY small when born literal specs of white.

otherwise your nitrate is high for your phosphate to be that low.

I'll check again tonight for some slime. The Monti has two "layers" and that area you are referring to might be where they overlap. Thanks for the info!

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

To me that looks like new growth, it looks good. Strong flow will make it grow strong and the growth will curve upwards, and it’s very attractive this way. In low flow they grow thin and fragile.

 

[Seven Year Nap]

For those who are curious, it seems that my tailspot blenny took a liking to the taste of it and that is the cause of the loss of tissue at the edge and on top of the ridges. I'll update once I get him out and allow it to recover properly.