Trachy starting to bleach out...help?

[ice fish]

I've had my trachy for about 2 weeks now and ate and had been doing well the first week and a half. This week though it has been bleaching out and not showing any colors at all. All other LPS in my tank are doing great. I've tried moving it away and towards the light with no signs of improvment and its getting a lower flow. Not sure whats going on. Anyone have suggestions?

 

[Tab28]

Many times bleaching is from too much light. It can be other factors from water perimeters. A picture and water perimeters may help. But i would move it to a low light area. Many LPS are kept in low light at LFS. Trachy can acclimate to med light but it takes a long acclimation time of months.

 

[ice fish]

Hmm alright i will move it to a low light area for now and get some pictures when i get home. Thank you

 

[Tahoe61]

Leave it in lower light for a awhile. Corals loose coloration fast, takes weeks to see improvement.

 

[jcdeng]

Low light low light low light. Compare to the ocean our tanks are like tanning booths. Unless the tach was sitting at the store for months adjusting to higher light, initally bleaching is to be expected. Try feeding it to see if it will bounce back, if it won't feed then most likely its a goner.

 

[ice fish]

It fed the first day I had it then hasn't since. I'm hoping I can save this guy

 

[jcdeng]

feed it every other day if its willing to feed.

 

[ice fish]

It hasn't accepted food since the first day.

 

[jcdeng]

what food are you feeding it?

 

[ice fish]

Gave it a piece of silverside the first day and ate it. Then tried again with no luck so I tried a piece of prawn I feed my eel and wouldn't go for that either

 

[jcdeng]

wow, how big is that tachy for you to feed it a silverside? Try Fauna LPS pellets.

 

[Tab28]

Depending on how bleached it is. When the zoozanthellae dies it bleaches. This is what gives the coral its color and feeds the coral with light. When it dies the feeding via light is no longer an option. Manual feedings is needed. I would try liquid foods until it is able to regain strength and some of its zoozanthellae.

 

[ice fish]

It ate it no problem it wasn't a whole silverside it was about a third. I'd say it's maybe 1.5 inches

 

[ice fish]

I'll post a picture when I get home to see what you guys think. Thanks everyone

 

[ice fish]

Here is what it looks like now. I moved it to the area in the tank that gets the least amount of light

 

[jcdeng]

was it like this when you bought it? I mean, all the flesh deflated.

 

[ice fish]

It wasnt super puffed up but no where close to what it looks like now. This is what it was when i bought it

 

[jcdeng]

that is a big difference, sorry to say but I think its too far gone...

 

[Tahoe61]

Keep it under less intense lighting and feed it as posted already, it's a long road to recovery.

Because the coral has lost most of it's zooxanthellae, I would take a liter plastic soda bottle, cut it in half, place it over the coral and introduce a frozen food slurry with mysis, or other meaty sea foods, you could try higher quality pellets as well. Turn off the pumps for about 10 minutes.

 

[ice fish]

Keep it under less intense lighting and feed it as posted already, it's a long road to recovery.

Because the coral has lost most of it's zooxanthellae, I would take a liter plastic soda bottle, cut it in half, place it over the coral and introduce a frozen food slurry with mysis, or other meaty sea foods, you could try higher quality pellets as well. Turn off the pumps for about 10 minutes.

So you think its saveable? would i just squirt it into its mouth and leave the container over it so nothing gets out?