Struggling Hammer

[wbrady]

Hi All
The past week my hammer hasnt inflated or shown no sign of extension since owning it for 9 months, seems to have closed down but still showing good colour, the tentacles will not extend more than an inch or so, anyone had this problem before? sorry no pic and all paras are A1
Thanks

[zimreef]

What about lighting and water movement? Any changes in either? have you moved it in the tank? Have you introduced anything new e.g. fish that may nip, corals in close proximity?

John

John

[wbrady]

Nothing changed john, i have moved it up nearer the top and in more movement to combat whatever this is but still no change, i will see if there is any change at lights on tomorrow
Thanks for the reply
Wayne

[wbrady]

Well no change today, looks like the hammer is receding back into the hard coral shell, sorry still no pics as yet, will try and sort one out soon

[HARKAWAL]

Hi check your nitrates - phosphates.

The hammerhead is a coral that can give indications of high nitrates.
It's a very useful coral for this type of indication.

I use my one's for this purpose.

[wbrady]

Hi
All tests across the board are ok, been told if leathers are near it that chemical warfare can start well its been near one for the past month so could this be the cause? to be honest i thought it would be the leather struggling if this was the case...shame..it wasnt far off rugby ball size in its prime:(
Thanks

[zimreef]

Yes, it could be the cause. Hearsay and reading only on my part but I understand that whilst hammers will sting anything they touch (hence the sweeper tentacles), leathers expel chemicals into the water to do their warfare. In the confines of an aquarium and if not removed by carbon/skimming/water changes/etc this can and will damage other corals. Even in a tank with all this, if the coral is "downcurrent" of a leather, the damage will be done before the chemicals are skimmed out.

I think you have your answer - I'd remove the leather rather than lose the hammer.

John

[HARKAWAL]

Polyfilter - Carbon will help in chemical warfare.