Setosa coral slowly turning white

[Marco333]

I've had this Setosa for almost two years. It has grown a lot but recently it has started to turn white in some areas. It seems the areas that get shaded by new growth of the coral. Is this normal since these areas are not getting enough light or should I be worried? It's a 40 breeder mixed reef. I do a weekly 5 gal water change with reef crystals and don't dose anything. All the other corals in the tank are fine.

 

[Jeto2004]

Since other areas seem darker than the white spots I don’t know if lighting is the issue here. Have you recently added new montipora? I would check for pests in particular montipora eating nudibranch a hour or two after lights out! Hope I’m wrong.

 

[James M]

That’s completely normal for the shaded areas to be white.

 

[Flippers4pups]

Unless the exposed skeleton happened over night (RTN or pest) as others have said, normal for shaded areas to lose tissue. Happens to virtually any SPS colonies as they grow.

 

[Marco333]

Since other areas seem darker than the white spots I don’t know if lighting is the issue here. Have you recently added new montipora? I would check for pests in particular montipora eating nudibranch a hour or two after lights out! Hope I’m wrong.

This is the only montipora I have in the tank. The only thing I've added in the past 6 months are some snails. I'll try to look after the lights are out for anything eating them.