Long Polyp Leather not happy

[MrsHaggis]

Hi Guys,

My two leather have been quite unhappy for about 1 week.

We done a massive water change last week and also changed the bottom from crushed coral to sand. The corals were kept in a bucket of tank water - I think the temp dropped a few degrees cent over the course of the change.

Since we put the tank back together again everything else has been flourishing but the two leathers are not so happy. My toadstool leather is constantly shedding a skin - so that's OK I guess. The other leather (long polyp) has not moved since we put him back in the tank. He has not even had a goose bump never mind a polyp coming out. He looks quite shiny in spots and also looks like he might be losing colour in several spots.

My water params are outstandingly good since I done the water change:

Salinty 1026
Temp 25oC
Alkalinity 12 (quite high I guess)
PH 8.5
Ammon 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 1 (was 60 before the water change)
Phosphate 0
Calcium 420
Mag 1080 (a bit low)

I use RO/DI water and as I said the mushrooms are thriving, my Xenia looks better than ever before and the fish are fine (clown and bi-colour blenny).

Any ideas?
Do you think the leather is dead?

Thanks
Fiona

[mfinn]

Some leathers don't like alot of change.
I would give them some extra flow, not a narrow stream directly off a powerhead, but just extra water movement.
As long as there isn't rotting flesh your leather is still alive and should bounce back.

[MrsHaggis]

There is no rotten flesh, I'll just leave him be to get on with it!!
Hopefully he will bounce back.
Thanks.

[SHAKEEL]

I know if im doing some cleaning in my tank and a lil to much stuff kicks up my leather will wax over for a day or two then it comes backs.

[davewbush]

I don't thing the low Mg would cause it, but a few weeks ago I raised mine to 1600 from 1320 over a few days and my toadstool closd up on me. It would open one day a week and stay closed the rest. I've got my Mg back down last week to 1380 and it is staying open all the time again. That was the only change in my tank. My other leather stayed open the whole time though, so its hard to say.

[MrsHaggis]

I moved the rock that my leather was on so that is was totally vertical, and now he is totally horizontal!! What has happened?? It looks like he does not want to live!!!

[jbird69]

Just be patient. Leathers are THE most temperamental corals. Dont move it, dont mess with it. Leaving it alone is the best thing you can do. Dont ever give up on it either, even if you start to see rotting tissue. If theres any living tissue on the coral, it still has hope. They can sulk for a LONG time.

[jhoff]

Mine stayed closed for allmost a week & a half came back with greener & longer polyps. Has been open ever sence just give it time

Jimbo
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[MrsHaggis]

OK, I'm leaving him be but he is almost upside down now.........

[mfinn]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14664342#post14664342 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MrsHaggis
OK, I'm leaving him be but he is almost upside down now.........


You mean the stalk is bent with the crown pointing down?
It should turn upright within a few days.

[MrsHaggis]

Stalk bent right over, crown pointing down......if it doesn't right itself over the next few days what should I do??

[jbird69]

give it a few days and post a picture if you can. You might try getting a small peice of large diameter tubing. Slit it open down the side and open it up and slip it around the stock of the leather, giving it a ridgid collar. This might keep it upright.

[mfinn]

I would do nothing. Leave it alone.