leather deteriorating

[Reefgyrl]

Anyone know why my toadstool would start "peeling away" starting at the bottom of the stem? Everything else in my tank is doing great??

[jcegt87]

Originally Posted by Reefgyrl

Anyone know why my toadstool would start "peeling away" starting at the bottom of the stem? Everything else in my tank is doing great??

its growing
just like snakes shed skin some corals do taht too

[reeffreak]

Actually leathers don't need to shed or peel to grow.They do it because many of them,like toadstools are leathery and don't have a slime coat like most soft corals.The only way to remove algae and debris is for them to shed off a layer of film.I say,if it's not looking like it's decaying/decomposing at the base then that is what's going on.I've notice leathers do this more often when there isn't enough indirect flow.They do much better with a strong yet indirect flow,preferably chaotic so the film can get blown off the coral.

A pic is worth a thousand words,can we see what is going on?

[Bifferwine]

I agree with Freak, leathers will shed their top layer every once in a while. I position my leathers so that it gets blown off by the powerhead. Anything extra easily comes off with a few blasts from the turkey baster.

Does the area look discolored or rotting? If not, it sounds normal.

[Reefgyrl]

Thanks, I will try and put more flow on it and see what happens. It just looks like it is deteriorating from the base of the stalk. I just got it a week or so ago!!!!

[Reefgyrl]

Here is a pic. It usually looks like it is doing well from the top, but as you can seeIMG]http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj66/tldworden/connergraduation024.jpg[/IMG] it is shrinking up the stalk. The stalk was a lot longer.

[Reefgyrl]

[Reefgyrl]

[Bifferwine]

Do you think maybe it's deteriorating because of the stress of holding the leather up on its side? I think it might help to put the coral upright.

[reeffreak]

I've had many toadies with discoloration at the base from algae/detritus build up.It doesn't look like it deteriorating to my eyes.Generally,a healthy,happy toady will angle itself toward the light.Try setting it upright like Biff mentioned and add more flow.I've had leathers in the past that took several months before they would open fully.