Trachy and favia questions

[SaltyGirlMom]

Can someone tell me if this trachy looks happy or stressed? It seems to constantly be slightly puffier than when I bought it months ago and this picture here shows it at its max today. I read online that it could be searching for food or it could be stressed, and not to attach it to rock work because it could cause abrasion against the tissue when it expands. I glued this in a hole in the rock and I don’t think it’s being injured during expansion. The PAR may not be enough though due to the top of the rock overhang and a large growing Xenia on that, so it might not be getting enough light? Would you recommend moving it or leaving it there?

Also wondering what this is underneath this Favia frag which I’m thinking may be blue polyps? And it almost looks like a shell got wedged underneath it and then blue polyps started growing on the shell. I’m seeing that some people say to get rid of these polyps quickly (if that’s what it is). Should I try to remove the Favia and locate it to a new plug?

The third coral (I don’t actually remember what it is called) appears to be damaged and algae is growing on it? Can anyone help with that one?

TIA!

 

[BonnieB]

OK I’m gonna take a stab but call in #r#reefsquadTo confirm or correct me.

The trachy I don’t know enough about to answer in any fashion. The favia looks good and healthy and if you feel comfortable pulling it off the frag I would do so. The pic of the attachment isn’t clear enough for me but it does look like blue clove polyps which will over take the tank. If that’s what they are then I’d get rid of them. A potential problem is any that have woven their way onto the favia base and would have to be eliminated. Put the favia on a clean plug and observe it to see. The third pic is blurry but is that a Montipora? I think I see two nudibranchs on it and if so that would be causing the recession.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

The trachy is receded enough to show skeleton, and I also see some parts of the flesh turning white. Why do you have it in the shade? It doesn't require much light, but it does need some light, it will die in the shade

I do see clove polyps on the favia frag plug. Be careful about that, I would try to pop the favia off the plug.

 

[SaltyGirlMom]

I think it may be receiving too much shade now that the Xenia is overgrown. It was receiving light before and I had found a good hole in the rock to secure it in (and cover the hole). I probably should move it.

 

[SaltyGirlMom]

OK I’m gonna take a stab but call in #r#reefsquadTo confirm or correct me.

The trachy I don’t know enough about to answer in any fashion. The favia looks good and healthy and if you feel comfortable pulling it off the frag I would do so. The pic of the attachment isn’t clear enough for me but it does look like blue clove polyps which will over take the tank. If that’s what they are then I’d get rid of them. A potential problem is any that have woven their way onto the favia base and would have to be eliminated. Put the favia on a clean plug and observe it to see. The third pic is blurry but is that a Montipora? I think I see two nudibranchs on it and if so that would be causing the recession.

I think you are right that it’s Montipora. I did buy one in that group of frags. I’ll have to look at it closer when I get home to see if it’s nudibranch or just tissue damage. Thanks for that heads up.

 

[thamnasteroid]

3rd coral is Mycedium elephantotus. Prolly check params, specifically nitrates and phosphates; I had one die from fluctuations.

For the Dipsastraea (former Favia), prolly should remove the coral from the plug, or at least remove the polyps. These types of encrusting octocorals grow fast and can overtake other corals.

For your Trachy, I would say move it; overinflation usually means it's reaching for light. In addition, Xeniids (and other octocorals) are known to use "chemical warfare" to kill nearby corals.

 

[SaltyGirlMom]

Oddly, it’s looking good this evening The lights had been off and I just turned them on for the pic. Guess it is close enough to the Xenia to be stung…

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Oddly, it’s looking good this evening The lights had been off and I just turned them on for the pic. Guess it is close enough to the Xenia to be stung…

No sorry it does not look good, it’s still receded and the ribs are very visible, you shouldn’t see its ribs like that.

 

[thamnasteroid]

Oddly, it’s looking good this evening The lights had been off and I just turned them on for the pic. Guess it is close enough to the Xenia to be stung…

No sorry it does not look good, it’s still receded and the ribs are very visible, you shouldn’t see its ribs like that.

nah this is the normal appearance for wild Trachies; aquarium specimens are just inflated due to lower flow and lighting than in the ocean