Wellso has exposed skeleton

[kswan]

It has been like this for almost a month. Started showing shortly after introducing into my tank. I have been trying to move it around but nothing seems to change. The algae growing from the skeleton has also been there most of the time. I’ve been removing it but it comes back immediately. Should I just leave it be?

 

[Tommy's Reef]

Hey if it is his skeleton don't be scrubbing the algae off its more sensitive then we know.
But look very closely to the skeleton part you think your seeing. Because there is a coral eating very hard shell critter that is the same color of the Skelton, the only time u will see him come out is at night he backs his butt out with his legs sticking out. It looks like a tick and eat's into the Skelton structure of lps corals. I've found one on a elegance a noticed it at night with its legs sticking out ( tick like) pulled it out with tweasers. And then later in the hobby I bought a welso with the same thing as yours and I looked close and sure enough it was the same critter.

 

[Tommy's Reef]

It's round and the size of a pencil eraser

 

[Tommy's Reef]

If u find it pull it out and please record it I wish I would of

 

[Tommy's Reef]

Check it out at night

 

[Tommy's Reef]

With flash light

 

[kswan]

Thanks. I’ll check now.

 

[kswan]

I’m not seeing any legs...

 

[John3]

I’m interested in this too. Looks like something hit that spot causing the skeleton spike to puncture through. Should he leave this alone or maybe try to cut the skeleton spike off with bone cutters? Anyone have experience with tissue growing back over a skeleton nub/spike like this?

 

[DSC reef]

Could be a gall crab

 

[kswan]

I did notice something very small on the exposed spot. I couldn’t get a picture. Think it is worth pulling it for a dip?

 

[DSC reef]

It's a mixed consensus on gall crabs. From what I've read manual removal works but can damage the coral. Not sure how a dip would do or if the crab died would it cause harm if not removed. Some say there ok and don't kill the host. I've never had to deal with one. #reefsquad, any ideas?

 

[kswan]

I do t think a gall crab is what I saw. Looked more like a small worm or other critter.

 

[kswan]

Just saw it again and looks like a tiny pair of pinchers! I think we are on to something!!

 

[kswan]

Just saw it again and looks like a tiny pair of pinchers! I think we are on to something!!

 

[KJ]

https://www.google.com/search?q=cry...qdTNAhWm5oMKHRjwDJMQ_AUICSgC&biw=1920&bih=955

 

[kswan]

Ok. I pulled the coral and used a pin to remove the crab. It came out without a problem. Hopefully my wellso starts looking better now!

 

[Starblenny]

Ok. I pulled the coral and used a pin to remove the crab. It came out without a problem. Hopefully my wellso starts looking better now!

Jesus, I never knew that's a thing for LPS. Good job getting rid of the crab though.

 

[kswan]

Thanks. I didn’t either. I thought the algae was bothering the coral but I’m sure it was the crab. Hopefully now it will take off. I’ve been concerned because since I brought it home it has looked unhappy. Everything else looks great.

Thanks everyone for getting me on the right track!

 

[DSC reef]

Gall crabs can be in many different LPS coral. Nice removal @kswan