Soft Corals Shed?

[plum70rt]

I have read that soft coral shed, how do you know when its shedding and not dying? I have a yellow leather that was full open till a few days ago now its is wilted over opens very little,
water is all perfect, Whats up?

 

[broomer5]

I've read where many types of leathers do this. Sort of shrivel up, look like crap and sluff off a mucus layer.
My cabbage leather does this now and then, matter of fact, it's going through this stage again as we speak. I don't know what is a normal, but mine does this every few weeks or so.
It really does look like crap for a couple days, but usually 2-3 days later - it's up again and looks better than before.
I've directed a powerhead near it to help it shed the stuff - but normally I just let it happen on it's own.

 

[nm reef]

All the leathers in my system go through stages where they close up and shed the outer layer. Especially the sarcophytons....but also my cabbage and finger leathers. Its not a serious problem but it does help if they are in a moderate current to help clear the stuff away.

 

[jonthefb]

what kind of yellow leather do you have? if it is like a fiji yellow toadstool or was called somethign to that degree and came from the coral sea, these guys need a ton of light. if its not then it is probably the leather just sloughing its outer skin. this is a normal part of growth and hygeine for a leather coral during which time, all polyps retract, and the animal itself shrinks up very small in size.
good luck
jon