What's wrong with my leather?!

[Pam Windsor]

Hey everyone. I'm pretty new to the group, and I have a (probably newbie style) question.

 

I just bought a 15gal tank off a friend that has been already set up for about 2-2.5 years. I've been doing what I can, learning as much as possible (I work PT on the weekends at an Aquarium store). I did a water change (albeit a little later than I should have, it had been about a month I guess... miscommunication between me and the previous owner), and the next day my leather was all shrivelled up to about 1/4 the size. Now I know that these colt coral type guys shed their mucous layer and they shrink down a bit, but it's been 5 days already and he doesn't seem to have recovered at all. Does that seem like too long to anyone?

 

I thought at first that my other corals (shrooms) were okay, but now I'm noticing that they look a bit "wilty" and that one of them seems to have been injured on one side and the tissue seems to be regressing. I've checked all the water chemistry things I can think of and I added some aragamilk (thought maybe they needed some Ca), but everything seems to be normal and the temp is hovering aroung 77-79C.

 

If anyone knows what I can try, please let me know.

 

Also, I will try to post some pics of these guys, but my computer hasn't been cooperating with my camera lately!

 

Pam

[TheUnfocusedOne]

softies dont need Ca, they get what the need from water changes

retest the water, maybe go to a pet store n get it check agian to be sure

check ur salinity

[psychochase138]

^+1

[tinyreef]

besides posting the picture (very important btw, to help us help you), can you post a little bit more about the history and timeline between the current events and when you bought this tank from your friend?

 

check your water source and salt to make sure they're both pure/clean and not contributing to the problem. post some of your tank parameters as well, e.g. salinity (as focus mentioned), temp, NH3~NO3, pH, equipment, livestock, etc.

 

more info we have, the better we can help/suggest.

[Pam Windsor]

Thanks for the replies. He's actually much better now. I was told that leathers occasionally shed a mucous layer and they get all shriveled for a day or two, and I have a feeling that's all it was maybe just a little longer than expected. The salinity was actually a bit high and it has since been adjusted back to 1.025.

 

My camera situation is still no better otherwise I would have posted a pic sooner!

[Tony]

Not just a day or two for some of mine. I have a finger leather that will close for more than a week at a time, but it was fully open and beautifull today.