shrinking leather coral

[at]

I have a leather coral that has shrank to 1/4 its normal size. Last night everything was fine It still has its polyps extended but the body has shriveled to nothing. The water tests are all ok (nitrate 05 amm 0 nit 0 phos 0 calc. 405 ) The other corals -zooas,xenia crocea clam, and all the fish are doing fine. Any ideas

[Reptoreef]

Are ya using carbon??? How direct is your waterflow??? What kind of leather???

[dakar]

Leathers, particulary things like sarco's, toadstools and other similar species will do that periodically, they will shrivel up looking like they are dying, sometimes for a day or as long as a week or more...then one day they'll cast off a slime layer (pretty toxic try to remove it with a turkey baster as it's cast off if you can) and be bigger than before.

First time, it happened it spooked us pretty good too, but he came back significantly larger with more polyps than he was before. Perfectly normal behavior.

[at]

I don't know what happened but today he looks better than he ever did. I did try to kill some optima with concentrated Kalk the day before. Sorry to bother you guys with such stupid questions. I didnt think about the aiptasia killing. I appreciate your help and comments.

[at]

optima was supposed to be aiptasia but spell check corrected it for me. Thanks again.

[dakar]

No such thing as stupid questions around here! By all means ask away, everyone benefits from them.

[pettee86]

I have a Yellow Leather that contracts and expands almost daily.
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a93/pettee86/CIMG1550.jpg