Bleached Euphillia ancora

[pdmckinn78]

Hi, I went away for a three week vacation and when I returned I found that my timer had failed. My 250w MH lights had stayed on 24/7 for at least two weeks, according to my house sitter. It killed my large green monti, and my anchor coral is completely bleached out. It's quite pretty. The stems are clear as glass and the polyp ends look like etched glass. There is no trace of color left.

I've been feeding it daily and it has a good feeding response and good polyp extention. But it's been a month now and it is still completely bleached. I replaced the timer and reduced the photo period to allow it time to recover.

Will it ever regain color, or is it already dead-man-waiting?

All of my other corals are doing well. Other than a slight increase in salinity, my water parameters were just as good as when I left.

[cjk76]

If it is continuing to open, it should grow the zooanthalae back. This takes energy, so make sure you are feeding it. Good luck!

[pdmckinn78]

Thanks CJK. It's good to know I'm doing the right thing. Do you know how long the process should take?

[cjk76]

Not sure. Most likely 6-8 weeks. Its just going to be difficult making sure it's fed and keeping the nutrients down. If I didn't mention it before, move it to a smaller amount of light.