Intermittent torch tissue recession

[Ioncewaslegend]

So, question for everybody. I have an odd issue that I've never been able to find a resolution to.

Every so often, some my torches will just randomly start to have tissue recession from the bottom up and die. It happens extremely slowly - over the course of weeks to months - and doesn't happen to every torch in the tank, just a few (and sometimes, only one or two heads on the colony, the rest are fine). The tissue recession will usually be biased towards one side, giving it a 'jagged' appearance.

I've tried iodine dips, KFC dips, finally resorted to broadcast cipro treatment, and nothing works. I keep my tank at ~8.5-9 dkh, 450-500 Ca, 14-1600 Mg, 40-55 NO3, 0.2-0.4 PO4, temp at 78, and pH fluctuates between 8.1 and 8.4. I also run a UV and a refugium. Torches are kept at a reasonable PAR (150-250), and nothing in the tank is attacking them. All the torches have gone through full QT and there's no pests/etc on them. I've done ICP tests and everything has come back in the 'normal-to-slightly-off' range; nothing that would throw up red flags like heavy metals in the tank.

I feel the need to emphasize it's not BJD; the flesh recedes, and keeps receding, until 'chunks' of tissue in the central part of the polyp start sloughing off, but there's no change in color/BJD. I honestly have no idea what the issue could be, because this has been happening intermittently for two years now and nothing's helped. Any thoughts?

 

[BristleWormHater]

@VintageReefer the torches need you again.

 

[VintageReefer]

I would start with low flow and place mid level. What fish/inverts do you have ? Do you feed the torches. They should be fed 2-3x weekly

 

[Ioncewaslegend]

I would start with low flow and place mid level. What fish/inverts do you have ? Do you feed the torches. They should be fed 2-3x weekly

They're placed mid-to-low level in the tank, flow is already moderate.

I do not feed the torches directly; but I have a 200 gallon tank with the fish listed below, and feed 14-22 cubes of frozen per day (plus nori, etc).

Achilles hybrid tang
Powder blue tang
Kole tang
Desjardini tang
Lawnmower blenny
2x mandarin
Royal gramma
Bluestreak cleaner wrasse
Pearly wrasse
Foxface
Watchman goby
Bella goby

Inverts are a mix of conchs, nassarius, trochus, bumblebee snails, nerites, and a few turbo snails

 

[VintageReefer]

Well this stands out to me
40-55 NO3
0.2-0.4 PO4


And torches should be target fed as light alone isn’t enough to make them thrive. I’ve seen better success with them long term ensuring they catch meals regularly

 

[Ryebreadiest]

Well this stands out to me
40-55 NO3
0.2-0.4 PO4


And torches should be target fed as light alone isn’t enough to make them thrive. I’ve seen better success with them long term ensuring they catch meals regularly

What do you feed?

 

[Doctorgori]

Well this stands out to me
40-55 NO3
0.2-0.4 PO4


And torches should be target fed as light alone isn’t enough to make them thrive. I’ve seen better success with them long term ensuring they catch meals regularly

I have noticed they do seem to catch mysis and frozen stuff when broadcast … seems to be sufficient

 

[VintageReefer]

I have noticed they do seem to catch mysis and frozen stuff when broadcast … seems to be sufficient

They will but everyone’s tank flow makes unique situations And conditions that can be favorable or unfavorable to broadcast feeding

 

[Ryebreadiest]

They will but everyone’s tank flow makes unique situations And conditions that can be favorable or unfavorable to broadcast feeding

What is your preferred target food?

 

[VintageReefer]

What is your preferred target food?

Dr G LPS Max is one of the best foods I’ve found. It seems every coral in my tank goes crazy for it. Hard to get. Have to buy online. Needs to be shipped with ice pack to keep cool. Needs to be kept refrigerated at home. It’s a mix of mysis, copepods, various fatty acids and other stuff.

Follow up suggestions:
Mysis
Flake food soaked in aminos

Feeding method - reduce flow as much as possible - usually I’ll turn off the power heads and leave the return pump on. Sometimes I’ll kill all flow entirely. Baste the food lightly towards the center mouth area. The tentacles will grab it and pull it in.

I find they do better at grabbing actual physical foods that I listed above compared to diluted power based food