New pink leather is totally limp and detaching

[AnnnetteM]

I bought a pink leather coral yesterday and was told to place it high in the tank w/moderate flow. I accl it slowly, put it 12 inches from the surface (x-tra tall tank, can't go higher) and the water flow is fine. All para in the tank are fine incl cal at 450. I have 48"PC 10000 k (2) and 2 atinic (sp?) it is pleanty of lighting. What could be going on. It is smaller than yesterday and just limp. It is also detaching from the small rock it came on and the base is a little brown. Help? Thanks

[Max]

lot of times softies will sort of droop a little when they are first placed into a new tank. It takes them a little while to adjust to the new conditions. Let me ask you a couple of questions that will help us help you. What are your water parameters ? How long has your tank been set up etc? What really concerns me is the fact that it's detaching itself and turning brown. It might just be shock from it's moves. Sorry to be vauge but, if your tank and water are both ok all you can really do is give it time.
hth
chris

[AnnnetteM]

only the bottom is a little brown and detaching. If it does detach what do I do? The tank is well established and I test it all down to phosphate, amm, NO2 NO3, cal, alk, ph, iod, all is ok. Water is solid at 78 degrees. I don't know whay this is happening. I am scared it will fall the 2 feet to the bottom of the tank if it detaches

[Max]

you can glue it back onto the rock with superglue. I'd worry more about the cause moer than the symptoms. Which I'm sure you are. I hope it's just a little grumpy from the move. Was it in a really bright or dim tank where you bought it? It' might be adjusting to the light in your tank . I really just don't know very much that you can do for it other than wait. Hopefully someone else will chime in with some better advise. I almost hate to add this but sometimes the corals will just die due to conditions outside of your control. I really hope that this isn't the case. The leathers tend to be really hardy though! I have every hope that it will bounce back and go like gang busters.
hth
chris

[mogurnda]

The detachment is strange, and makes me wonder how well it had been attached to the rock in the first place. In my experience, once a leather is attached, it's nearly impossible to detach. It almost always leaves tissue behind. Had it been fragged and attached to the rock relatively recently?

If it's healthy, it will reattach itself soon. You might keep an eye on the detached area for deterioration. If it seems to be falling apart, cut off the bad tissue with a razor blade.

If the tissue is relatively firm, and there's no sign of deterioration, it may be just pouting. Depending on the species, some droop more than others. My sinularia sags every night, and perks up during the day. What kind of leather is it?

My leathers always have a brownish, scratchy, area near the bottom. Not sure why, but it seems to develop as they age.

Leathers are unbelievably tough. If it does seem to be deteriorating, then you can simply cut the healthy tissue away and reattach it to the rocks. Super glue can work, but I find it easier to plant it on a plastic toothpick and let it stick itself down.