Green Star Polyps slowly disappearing.

[seamandrew]

Hi all, one of my green star polyps (which is actually purple in color) has over the course of the past week begun to slowly die off. It started with a tiny patch that I thought had perhaps been bumped too hard, but each day it gets progressively bigger. It's nearly at the 1/3 mark, there is no sign of parasite, no bands of discoloration, nothing. I've even taken the coral out, brushed it well in a separate saltwater container and shaken it to remove all debris. But it continues to get bigger. The areas that die off flake of like wet bread crust when I touch it. I don't think it's Rapid Tissue Necrosis or Shut-down Reaction because neither typically affect Pachyclavularia from what I can tell. I can't tell what is causing this degenarating and I've watched the coral for any kind of parasite, made sure it was clear of debris and any algae. My water chemistries are great and my other green star polyp (which is green) is actually expanding as are most of my corals. Has anyone had this happen? Does anyone know what to do? Will a temperature change reduce the progression of this condition?
If you're looking to picture it, imagine the polyps not opening today, tomorrow they look dead, and the next day, they can be flaked off. It is a beautiful specimen and I'd hate to lose it.

 

[coralreefer]

id put it under high current (like somewhere in the upper region of the tank).

 

[seamandrew]

Why's that? Are you afraid it's a parasite or some sort of growth blocking it?

 

[debbie]

I was going to get a small frag of star polyp but instead went for the buttons. One thing my fish lady did tell me about the stars is that they do require good water quality and conditions.
If you don't run carbon in the tank you might want to add some for a couple of weeks and see if the helps them along as it polishes the water.
Just a thought.......

 

[sigmachris]

You said good water conditions, but do you check for phosphates those have been known to stunt coral growth.

 

[seamandrew]

Yes, I check for Phosphates weekly and they are at 0. I also run Carbon Debbie. Always have, always will. I run the Chempure stuff. Unfortunately, the entire colony has died. No sign of parasites, no sign of disease. Just a rapid shut-down and decay of the tissue. It was a favorite coral of mine as it was one of my largest and most striking because instead of green, they were completely purple.