Hammer coral head keeps receding at one edge, flow or something nibbling it?
Pic below of the drip acclimation bucket I use for new arrivals, which is how I noticed it. Hammer I've had for about a month, one edge of the skeleton is showing through and the tentacles on that side look thinner. Nothing obvious in the tank bugging it. Flow is moderate, nitrate around 8. Am I overthinking it or should I dip it again?
6 comments
coralcass check for a nearby sweeper or a neighbor stinging that edge at night, that's the usual culprit. i'd try moving it a few inches before dipping again.
agree with nightreef. also look for a brown jelly or little pest sitting on that edge with a flashlight after lights out, receding on one side usually has a cause you can see.
thanks both. found a little brown jelly looking thing on the bad edge with a flashlight last night, so dipping it again tonight and moving it a few inches after.
that's the one. dip, then gently blow it off the skeleton with a turkey baster before it goes back, and check the neighbors for the same stuff.
coralcass if the jelly thing keeps coming back after the dip, check the underside of the head too. mine hid under the skirt for weeks.
coralcass pea puffer tip from my side of the hobby: i've seen the same hiding trick with pests under a skirt, the baster trick worked for me on anything that wouldn't dip off.
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