Toadstool looks like it’s dying

[newbie reefer96]

I went to my LFS 4 or 5 days ago and picked up this toadstool and for the past couple of days it hasn’t been looking good is it dying/ should it be taken out of the tank?? I have two radians XR15 at 50% in a Red Sea reefer 350 G2 the tank is new and but all live rock and bio media was switched from my old tank any also have vortex MP 40 with wave action turned on I’m not sure what’s going on with it or if it’s too late

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Turn your lights up to 100% and then do on search here on your XR15 light. I have no experience with this light, but many threads here showing this light does not put out high par. Its important that you read up on your light

They do like good random flow, so it should be placed in a position of good flow, usually down by the sand is low flow area.

Leathers also like measurable nitrate and phosphate, so with your tank being new, you should monitor these parameters to ensure the corals don't starve.

The white part of the coral is dead. I would see if there is any healthy part left that can be fragged off and glue it somewhere else. But I think the first priority is turn up the light, maybe even move the coral higher.

 

[CoralsComeInMoreColors]

Turn your lights up to 100% and then do on search here on your XR15 light. I have no experience with this light, but many threads here showing this light does not put out high par. Its important that you read up on your light

They do like good random flow, so it should be placed in a position of good flow, usually down by the sand is low flow area.

Leathers also like measurable nitrate and phosphate, so with your tank being new, you should monitor these parameters to ensure the corals don't starve.

The white part of the coral is dead. I would see if there is any healthy part left that can be fragged off and glue it somewhere else. But I think the first priority is turn up the light, maybe even move the coral higher.

personally, I think this is a bad idea, turning your lights up to 100, as too much light is more dangerous than too little, and even with little light you should see some kind of polyp extension. With leathers, if you ever think its dead, you can sniff it, seriously its a smell you will never forget and there will be no confusion if its dead. any kind of leather in my experience like dirtier water. you should check your parameters, and post them ( nitrate phosphate calcium magnesium alkalinity and ammonia) also, flow is important, but I would put it in little to no flow to see which polyps extend, giving you an idea of what is dead and what is alive. Best of luck!

 

[newbie reefer96]

Turn your lights up to 100% and then do on search here on your XR15 light. I have no experience with this light, but many threads here showing this light does not put out high par. Its important that you read up on your light

They do like good random flow, so it should be placed in a position of good flow, usually down by the sand is low flow area.

Leathers also like measurable nitrate and phosphate, so with your tank being new, you should monitor these parameters to ensure the corals don't starve.

The white part of the coral is dead. I would see if there is any healthy part left that can be fragged off and glue it somewhere else. But I think the first priority is turn up the light, maybe even move the coral higher.

I’ll bump up the lights to 100% and would you just suggest getting rid of the coral and replacing it with a new one and dosing phosphate and nitrate ??

 

[newbie reefer96]

personally, I think this is a bad idea, turning your lights up to 100, as too much light is more dangerous than too little, and even with little light you should see some kind of polyp extension. With leathers, if you ever think its dead, you can sniff it, seriously its a smell you will never forget and there will be no confusion if its dead. any kind of leather in my experience like dirtier water. you should check your parameters, and post them ( nitrate phosphate calcium magnesium alkalinity and ammonia) also, flow is important, but I would put it in little to no flow to see which polyps extend, giving you an idea of what is dead and what is alive. Best of luck!

Thank you so much when I get home I’ll reassess it and go from there I’m thinking about just replacing it and getting the nutrients up in the tank even tho my torches are doing just fine

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I’ll bump up the lights to 100% and would you just suggest getting rid of the coral and replacing it with a new one and dosing phosphate and nitrate ??

I'm sure there must be a healthy brown piece somewhere, check the stalk/stem. I would hate to throw the whole thing out, even the tiniest piece can grow.

I would test the nitrate and phosphate first, dosing might be needed perhaps not, might need more fish, or less water changes, etc... its hard to comment on that without knowing more about your tank and practice.

This is what I would do personally, I don't know if its the best way but its my way. I respect others opinions and experiences, although they might be different than mine, we all have the best intentions to help you

 

[newbie reefer96]

I'm sure there must be a healthy brown piece somewhere, check the stalk/stem. I would hate to throw the whole thing out, even the tiniest piece can grow.

I would test the nitrate and phosphate first, dosing might be needed perhaps not, might need more fish, or less water changes, etc... its hard to comment on that without knowing more about your tank and practice.

This is what I would do personally, I don't know if its the best way but its my way. I respect others opinions and experiences, although they might be different than mine, we all have the best intentions to help you

I’m heading to my LFS later today to pick up more fish I currently have 4 fish in it now 1 blue tang that’s 1 in long that will be moved when he outgrows this tank 2 clowns and 1 6 line wrass along with heavy feeding to help get nutrients up the natural way I’m trying to keep the tank basic and natural as possible as for as stocking goes what would you’re Recommendations be??

 

[exnisstech]

I wouldn't give up on it. My oldest toadstool recently went through a molt that lasted over a month. It turned dark brown with some black and I thought for sure it was a goner but I left it in. When it finally started to show some polyps I blew it off with a baster and so much old skin came of I was catching it in a net to remove it.

I think mine went through a growth spurt because it is huge compared to before the molt. Mine have always like higher flow and light. I've kept this one under 400 par before and it thrived.

 

[SudzFD]

I’d be hesitant to call it dead. It didn’t look good but I’d leave it alone and wait. Let us know all your parameters. Try turning the light up, mine are under pretty intense light and love it.

I have a toadstool that has been in my tank for three years. It got completely overrun by my bubble tips when they took over from a bunch if splits. It turned white, shriveled and for a while I thought it had disappeared. when I finally started getting rid of the bubble tips I saw it was still there. A skinny white stalk with not a tentacle to be seen.

This is it now.

They are resilient corals. Give it some time.

 

[CoralsComeInMoreColors]

I’ll bump up the lights to 100% and would you just suggest getting rid of the coral and replacing it with a new one and dosing phosphate and nitrate ??

don't dose a thing just yet, there is no way your at 0 with fish in a low coral load tank

 

[exnisstech]

don't dose a thing just yet, there is no way your at 0 with fish in a low coral load tank

Agreed.
OP do you have any other coral. I never like to make changes based on a single piece that isn't happy. Several or all looking bad I'll start thinking about changing things.

 

[BryanM]

I would not be adding more fish when the toadstool is in distress. I'd personally like that solved or understood before adding any new livestock.

 

[Pico_Reefs]

I would not dose anything. Why? If this were my toadstool. I’d dip in hydrogen peroxide and iodine just to rule out any bacterial infection.

What is the distance from you light to where the toadstool is?