Favia Plate Degeneration

[Inconservatory]

Hi there,

I have recently bought two favia plate corals, one about 4" in diameter, and one at 2". They were originally on the sand bed, but some encroaching cyano, coupled with too much sand blowing onto them prompted me to move them into an area with a bit more current. While on these rocks, both of them started to lose some tissue halfway through their bodies. I ended up moving the plates back onto the sand, fearing that too much agitation from the current was to blame for their tissue loss.

The smaller favia looks as though it is doing a bit better, but only time will tell if it regenerates its tissue. The larger one, however, continues to lose tissue at an alarming rate! I fear at this pace that it will not have any tissue left to speak of passed the weekend.

While feeding the rest of the corals, a bit of shrimp fell on the favia's surface. The tentacles reached up to move it closer to the mouth, but lost it when I turned the pumps back on. Should I let it eat a small piece of shrimp, or just let it alone?

So what should I do to help heal this beauty? I could try moving it to an area with less current, but there is also less light in that section (it still gets hit by the halide, though).

Thanks.

 

[TJL]

Hey Jhustin,

My Favias have done best in bright light and fairly strong water flow placed up on LR structure off bottom. Stronger water flow will help rid any Cyano if you have any type of coral dip I'm sure it would also help.

Todd

 

[BCT182]

Thats a tough one. Any way it can be isolated from fish that might pick at it? Seems like even reef safe fish will sometimes pick at a dying LPS. As for flow, someone else should chime in. I would assume very low flow to prevent further damage to the remaining tissue.

 

[Inconservatory]

Todd- What type of coral dip would you recommend? Would an Iodine work to disinfect it and generally clean the tissue up?

I would like to keep the favia in a high current area, but seeing as how the smaller specimen seems to be having an easier time where there is less current, I may just take the final risk of moving it one more time and just place it in a low-flow area.

As for fish picking at it, I haven't seen the tang, chromis, or clowns picking at the tissue. However, there is a starry blenny in there which may have its fun by sitting on the face of the favia and laughing heartily. If this is the case, I may have to have a little talk with "Little Dagon."

Thanks for the tips, keep 'em coming!

 

[Inconservatory]

I'll also add that it was in physical contact with a pulsing xenia, but that shouldn't be a problem. When in contact with the xenia, it was also sitting next to a keny tree and cabbage corals.

ALSO, it was attacked with a barrage of air bubbles when the water in the sump got low. I think that's what did it, so know I just need to calm it down.