Hey there reefer friends,
I'm in a bit of a pickle and I would love some advice on how I might handle two challenges.
The situation: I recently ordered some soft coral colonies from a popular vendor, one came in just fine and is acclimating wonderfully. The other is a sinularia colony that is giving me some trouble. The corals arrived this past Wednesday, Nov 23rd and since then some things have become clear. The sinularia was sent to me attached to what appears to be either a chunk of Montipora or Porites that is still slightly alive and glowing green in my tank. The foot of the sinularia is barely attached and also has black spotting along with what looks like tissue turning black where it's making contact as it slumps over it. Since it's barely attached this is how it is laying naturally. I've considered trying use flow or something to create space between the two, but I do not want to cause more irritation or a larger issue.
I gently pulled the sinularia up Thursday morning to get a better sense of what was going on underneath, it looks like there is a black spot on the stalk and a dark circle on the monti/porites that align perfectly. I have used a pipette to softly blow some of the tissue away in the worst spots.
On one hand - it's a free chunk of coral I guess - on the other, it's giving me cause for concern as it seems to be stinging/irritating the sinularia, causing some black spots on the stalk where it's making contact and at the base where it looks to be getting irritated enough to be releasing from the coral chunk.
I have contacted the vendor and communication has been prompt but I am starting to feel weird about the whole situation. The last response directed me to leave it as is, there is nothing to worry about, looks like every other sinularia, if it detaches you can figure it out from there. Not sure it applies but just in case, here are some parameters/deets:
Tank is 14 months old
Temp - 76F
Alk - 7.8
Calcium - 450
Mag - 1500
Nitrate - 7ppm
Okay, I think that's all the relevant information. Other than where the base is attached there are no other corals close to the sinularia, it's on its own rock and receiving moderate flow.
My two questions to all you wonderful people are;
1) Do you think the sinularia is okay as it is? Should I be taking any actions? I do not want to lose it!
2) Would you be upset/annoyed in this situation or do you see this as normal/okay for a vendor to ship a coral like this?
I greatly appreciate any responses in advance - I'm just trying to get a gut check and take care of the sinularia the best I can!
Let me know if I need to provide more details or updated pics. Thank you!
I'm in a bit of a pickle and I would love some advice on how I might handle two challenges.
The situation: I recently ordered some soft coral colonies from a popular vendor, one came in just fine and is acclimating wonderfully. The other is a sinularia colony that is giving me some trouble. The corals arrived this past Wednesday, Nov 23rd and since then some things have become clear. The sinularia was sent to me attached to what appears to be either a chunk of Montipora or Porites that is still slightly alive and glowing green in my tank. The foot of the sinularia is barely attached and also has black spotting along with what looks like tissue turning black where it's making contact as it slumps over it. Since it's barely attached this is how it is laying naturally. I've considered trying use flow or something to create space between the two, but I do not want to cause more irritation or a larger issue.
I gently pulled the sinularia up Thursday morning to get a better sense of what was going on underneath, it looks like there is a black spot on the stalk and a dark circle on the monti/porites that align perfectly. I have used a pipette to softly blow some of the tissue away in the worst spots.
On one hand - it's a free chunk of coral I guess - on the other, it's giving me cause for concern as it seems to be stinging/irritating the sinularia, causing some black spots on the stalk where it's making contact and at the base where it looks to be getting irritated enough to be releasing from the coral chunk.
I have contacted the vendor and communication has been prompt but I am starting to feel weird about the whole situation. The last response directed me to leave it as is, there is nothing to worry about, looks like every other sinularia, if it detaches you can figure it out from there. Not sure it applies but just in case, here are some parameters/deets:
Tank is 14 months old
Temp - 76F
Alk - 7.8
Calcium - 450
Mag - 1500
Nitrate - 7ppm
Okay, I think that's all the relevant information. Other than where the base is attached there are no other corals close to the sinularia, it's on its own rock and receiving moderate flow.
My two questions to all you wonderful people are;
1) Do you think the sinularia is okay as it is? Should I be taking any actions? I do not want to lose it!
2) Would you be upset/annoyed in this situation or do you see this as normal/okay for a vendor to ship a coral like this?
I greatly appreciate any responses in advance - I'm just trying to get a gut check and take care of the sinularia the best I can!
Let me know if I need to provide more details or updated pics. Thank you!