Tubinaria

[Jon Boy]

My tubinaria has suffered a small area of die back, about 5 polyp heads out of a piece measuring approx 8" dia. The heads have died and the area turned white. I have seen my red sea wrasse worrying the area so he may be the culprit. Should I take any action / treatment of the tubiaria or just leave it to its own recuperative powers. I will be keeping a close eye on the wrasse

[Jon Boy]

No Comments or advice from members of this illustrious board.:(

[mysticwave_2]

I would be inclined to leave it to the powers that be IMO

Jim

[Jon Boy]

Thanks Jim, that was my first thought but it never does any harm to seek other points of view.

[zimreef]

What sort of current have you got in the tank? Is it possible that some detritus is collecting in the "cup" and irritating the tissue underneath?

Certainly keep an eye on the wrasse but bear in mind it may just be picking at dead tissue and exacerbating the problem rather than the original cause.

John

[Jon Boy]

Hi John

It is in reasonable flow and the die back is on one of the edges, not an area for build up to occur. I have been watching the wrasse and agree that it looks more like picking and making matters worse rather than the cause. The remainder of the tubinaria is fully extend. Guess I will have to keep fingers crossed that it does not get worse.

[zimreef]

Is there any coral (or something like an aiptasia perhaps) near to it that may be irritating just that portion of the coral?

John

[muzzy]

thats what i was thinking, i have/had a couple of aips on the edge of mine that caused some die back in one corner, also when i got it off Si G some xenia had grown over it and caused some die back in the centre - this has now regrown over the dead area. i dont think they like being touched by anything, they seem quite fragile in that respect

[Jon Boy]

Hi Guys

Now that you have mentioned the aip there was one that had grown close to the affected area. I have now dealt with the aip and moved the tubinaria away from any possible contact with other corals. Thanks for the info it is appreciated.:)

[chris-s]

I have a Peltata which occasionally suffered at the attack of some mushrooms, once the source of attack was removed, I found it recovered really well. I guess the rate of recovery will depend somewhat on other factors as well, but I've found mine to be pretty tough.
Chris

[Jon Boy]

I have moved the tubinaria and it is now at least 5 inches from the nearest corals. The die back is now gaining speed and has doubled in size over the last few days. Can the offending area be cut out? The annoying things is the unaffected part is fully extended. Any suggestions gratefully received.

[muzzy]

hmm, strange, maybe something is eating it at night?

might be worth cutting the area out to save the rest of the coral

[bony]

have you tested mag,alk,ph,calcium? are all your levels fine..

[Jon Boy]

All levels are fine, everything else in tank (inc Cat) are doing well and growing, just having problems with Tub.:confused:

[bony]

is the area pure white thats dying, no algea or discolouration?

[Jon Boy]

The 1st phase is that the polyps receed, then the area bleeches white, then white area attracts a small amount of algae. Rate of die back has increased in the last few days. As mentioned before the unaffected area has all its polyps extended.:confused: