KingConch
08-18-2009, 10:30 AM
i bought a toadstool from a store in moncton and it was in horrible condition (it was sent to me so i couldn't have seen it before i bought it) there was algae growing up 3/4 of the stem and worms growing in the top of it. anyway that was about 2 weeks ago. i am new to keeping corals and i don't think i have the stuff to save the whole colony/ its going down hill... it has been shedding the whole time it has been in my tank. i helped it along by shooting loose but of slime off with a turkey baster and lightly brushed away the mass of black algae covered slime near the base but alas i don't think i can save it.
would it be too early to decide to just give up on saveing the whole coloney and just try and save a few frags of it? it use to extend its polyps but never open them, but now it doesn't even really look alive. the base looks like its literally melting away
Edit: forgot to mention that the stock is completely limp and has been for a few days now
Conski
08-18-2009, 11:14 AM
I hope its in a separate tank so nothing is going to any of your other corals if you have any! you could always try some meds i guess, im sorry though man
Pictures would be helpful... However, shedding is normal when a toadstool leather is moved to a different tank. I've had one shed quite often after I first bought it -- it seemed like every other day, but I didn't record the frequency. I've had others that shed once or twice shortly after adding them, and then not again for several months.
If the base is mushy and looks rotten, take a clean, sharp razor blade and cut the stem / stalk a reasonable amount above where the bad tissue is. A pair of very sharp utility scissors also works well. A smooth, clean cut will yield the best results. The cap (top) can be cut the same way, if you feel that tissue is also bad. Don't be afraid to cut it -- removing any decaying flesh will definitely be helpful. Depending on how bad it is, not acting might be worse than anyone's worst effort at trying to save it by cutting out the dieing tissue.
If / once you cut out any dead tissue, try to put is somewhere that it can be left alone. The more it's disturbed, the less happy it's going to be. It should be in a moderate amount of light and in a reasonable amount of flow. If you cut the base, do not try to glue or epoxy the coral to anything -- it will slime too much and your efforts will be fruitless. Toadstool leathers will naturally attach to rock anywhere that it touches them, so it's best to let the coral do it's own thing and not force the issue.
If you'd like a visual how-to, you may want to watch the video on the GARF site (http://garf.org/MPegs/SarcoPropagation.shtml).