Acropora turning white

auburnrx

New Member
I have had my green acropora for about a month now. I has been doing great until last week. I kept finding one of my snails attached to the lower branches. Whenever I saw this I remove the snail. Since then the lower part that the snail was attached to is now white. The upper branches untouched by the snail are still green but slowing turning white. It is getting plenty of flow and light. Since it starting turning white I did move it to more indirect light but this is not helping.
All other corals are thriving. Water parameters are all zero, with ph of 8.2.
Any suggestions??
 

9supratt4

Active Member
Originally Posted by AuburnRX
http:///forum/post/3046640
I have had my green acropora for about a month now. I has been doing great until last week. I kept finding one of my snails attached to the lower branches. Whenever I saw this I remove the snail. Since then the lower part that the snail was attached to is now white. The upper branches untouched by the snail are still green but slowing turning white. It is getting plenty of flow and light. Since it starting turning white I did move it to more indirect light but this is not helping.
All other corals are thriving. Water parameters are all zero, with ph of 8.2.
Any suggestions??
How is the polyp extension??
 

nycbob

Active Member
snails shouldnt cause it to turn white. i suspect the snail was eating the algae growing on the dead tissue. it could be a case of bleaching due to anything, including water parameters not suitable for it. all of ur other corals could be great, but sps r very sensitive.
 

9supratt4

Active Member
It doesn't sound like bleaching since the polyps are dying too. Is this the only piece of acro you have in the tank. I hate to say it, but it sounds like the dreaded Acro Eating Flatworms.
 

nycbob

Active Member
Originally Posted by 9supratt4
http:///forum/post/3047374
It doesn't sound like bleaching since the polyps are dying too. Is this the only piece of acro you have in the tank. I hate to say it, but it sounds like the dreaded Acro Eating Flatworms.
when a sps bleaches, the polyps will die along with it.
 

stanlalee

Active Member
turning white= dead. fading colors you might have polyp extension or you may have zero polyp extension and browning. those are still alive. no color aka turning white= snap if off and hope the remainder survives.
 

yosemite sam

Active Member
I'd have to see a photo, but it sounds like STN (slow tissue necrosis). This can be caused be a lot of things, including various pests or poor water quality. What are your specific water parameters, including salinity/SG, PH, alkalinity, calcium, magnesium, nitrate, and phosphate? What else do you have in your tank? Can you get a photo? A good close-up of the coral would really help.
 

fishieness

Active Member
Originally Posted by Stanlalee
http:///forum/post/3047962
turning white= dead. fading colors you might have polyp extension or you may have zero polyp extension and browning. those are still alive. no color aka turning white= snap if off and hope the remainder survives.
S/RTN and bleaching are two very different things. I've seen completely white (bleached) corals. These still do have polyps and flesh, while TNed corals just have skeleton.
STN and RTN are also very different. Have you seen this progress anymore? A picture would help. As mentioned, it could be AEFW (although unlikely), it could be water quality, or just that the acro is shading itself.
If you could post water parameters (especially ALK) and a picture we could tell you what it is for sure.
 

stanlalee

Active Member
Originally Posted by fishieness
http:///forum/post/3052457
S/RTN and bleaching are two very different things. I've seen completely white (bleached) corals. These still do have polyps and flesh, while TNed corals just have skeleton.
STN and RTN are also very different. Have you seen this progress anymore? A picture would help. As mentioned, it could be AEFW (although unlikely), it could be water quality, or just that the acro is shading itself.
If you could post water parameters (especially ALK) and a picture we could tell you what it is for sure.

he said the lower part of the coral turned white. I've seen corals bleach but never a section at a time. tissue necrosis happens just as described. usually from the bottom and works its way up.
 

fishieness

Active Member
Originally Posted by Stanlalee
http:///forum/post/3053526
he said the lower part of the coral turned white. I've seen corals bleach but never a section at a time. tissue necrosis happens just as described. usually from the bottom and works its way up.
You're right. It does. But colonies also commonly bleach at the bottom as they shade themselves. I'm not saying you are dead wrong, just saying it isn't always the case. I should have quoted nycbob though instead of you, though. So sorry.
 

stanlalee

Active Member
Originally Posted by fishieness
http:///forum/post/3053723
You're right. It does. But colonies also commonly bleach at the bottom as they shade themselves. I'm not saying you are dead wrong, just saying it isn't always the case. I should have quoted nycbob though instead of you, though. So sorry.

mine have done that too in shaded areas. I always thought those were dead areas. I wasn't claiming to be right with 100% certainty, no apology neccessary. the more info and opinions the better.
 

veni vidi vici

Active Member
Just to add to this discussion.Ive had SPS RTN/STN on me starting on the tips...in the middle....from the bottom .Its bee my experiance it can start anywhere.Ive had fish nip and cause it or being knocked over to start it.
 
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