starving plate coral?? - Aquarium Advice

fishcrack · 05-21-2008, 10:44 PM

I am concerned about our small tentacle plate coral. There is a picture of it posted under this section already. When we first got it, we were worried that something was eating it. It turned out to be just some small tissue damage from transportation (or at least that's the best we could figure). Anyway, it seemed fine, was adjusting and extending it's tentacles to eat, etc.

However, over the last 2 weeks, I haven't seen it enlarge it's tissue or extend it's tentacles. I've been reading everything I can find. From what I understand, the plate coral typically feeds at night by extending the tentacles. Ours doesn't appear to be eating at all. I read one article that said it can survive like this for months but it's really slowly starving to death. HELP! Am I reading incorrect information? Is it a filter feeder?

**roka64** · 05-22-2008, 12:34 AM

How are you watching it at night?

Kurt_Nelson · 05-22-2008, 12:56 AM

They'll expand at all times of day, not just night. They're not filter feeders though - they want small meaty things like mysis, chopped clam, squid, etc.

When the tissue is expanded a little (not all sucked up hard against the skeleton) just put some food on it near it's mouth. The tentacles don't have to be extended. I think you'll see the food slowly migrate towards the mouth. That's the mucous coat transporting the food to the mouth. You can do this anytime the tissue is somewhat expanded. Like all LPS though, they do go through periods of less activity than normal.

Have you got it in a low flow area on the sand? If not, maybe try a different placement?

I never had good luck with plate corals. I'm 0 for 3 on them. Mine were suicidal and moved themselves into positions where things fell off my rocks onto them. Then they could never recover from the tissue damage. They seem very hardy, but once injured they seem like they turn into quite a difficult coral to keep. At least that was my experience.

Sounds like you're doing everything you can... researching and babying it. Just keep trying to feed it now and then, and keep it blown clean if it's not expanding to clean itself off. That's all you can do!

cmor1701d · 05-22-2008, 11:46 AM

I've had the same expeience as Kurt with plate corals. Follow his advice and hopefully you'll have a better outcome.

**Devilishturtles** · 05-22-2008, 12:11 PM

I'm 0 for 2 with plate corals... definitley very tricky corals.

Good luck with yours, Kurt gave great advice.

05-21-2008, 10:44 PM	#1
fishcrack Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Illinois Posts: 58	starving plate coral?? I am concerned about our small tentacle plate coral. There is a picture of it posted under this section already. When we first got it, we were worried that something was eating it. It turned out to be just some small tissue damage from transportation (or at least that's the best we could figure). Anyway, it seemed fine, was adjusting and extending it's tentacles to eat, etc. However, over the last 2 weeks, I haven't seen it enlarge it's tissue or extend it's tentacles. I've been reading everything I can find. From what I understand, the plate coral typically feeds at night by extending the tentacles. Ours doesn't appear to be eating at all. I read one article that said it can survive like this for months but it's really slowly starving to death. HELP! Am I reading incorrect information? Is it a filter feeder?

05-22-2008, 12:34 AM	#2
roka64 Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 11,027 Images: 12	How are you watching it at night? __________________ Age is relative, you are only as old as you act....of course, this works in reverse.... Questions loved, heeded advice greatly appreciated! Vote for AA Good reading about: Nitrogen Cycle Fishless Cycling Need more help? Articles Acronym List --Scott

05-22-2008, 11:46 AM	#4
cmor1701d Aquarium Advice Addict Community Mentor Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Belle Mead, NJ Posts: 3,894 Images: 43	I've had the same expeience as Kurt with plate corals. Follow his advice and hopefully you'll have a better outcome. __________________ Click here to Vote for Aquarium Advice on AquaRank . Vote EVERY day! Click Here for a list of commonly used acronyms and abbreviations. ____ Cmor

05-22-2008, 12:11 PM	#5
Devilishturtles Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Frederick, Maryland Posts: 7,904 Images: 17	I'm 0 for 2 with plate corals... definitley very tricky corals. Good luck with yours, Kurt gave great advice. __________________ -Lindsay Live in the Western MD/West Virginia/DC Metro Area? Join our very active regional forum Here Like the advice someone just gave you? Add to their reputation! Click on the balance icon underneath their username and let them know.

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05-22-2008, 12:56 AM	#3
Kurt_Nelson Aquarium Advice Addict Community Mentor Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: WA Posts: 2,436 Images: 28	They'll expand at all times of day, not just night. They're not filter feeders though - they want small meaty things like mysis, chopped clam, squid, etc. When the tissue is expanded a little (not all sucked up hard against the skeleton) just put some food on it near it's mouth. The tentacles don't have to be extended. I think you'll see the food slowly migrate towards the mouth. That's the mucous coat transporting the food to the mouth. You can do this anytime the tissue is somewhat expanded. Like all LPS though, they do go through periods of less activity than normal. Have you got it in a low flow area on the sand? If not, maybe try a different placement? I never had good luck with plate corals. I'm 0 for 3 on them. Mine were suicidal and moved themselves into positions where things fell off my rocks onto them. Then they could never recover from the tissue damage. They seem very hardy, but once injured they seem like they turn into quite a difficult coral to keep. At least that was my experience. Sounds like you're doing everything you can... researching and babying it. Just keep trying to feed it now and then, and keep it blown clean if it's not expanding to clean itself off. That's all you can do!