my coral looks like its molting

[smnw10]

Picture below, but for the past week to 10 days my gorgonia (I think that's what it's called) hasn't opened up while all other corals were fine in the tank. I was beginning to get worried then today I saw this stringy stuff coming off of it, like all over it and now the coral is opening up. It's almost like comparing it to a snake shedding it's skin.

Then the second picture, during this time one branch almost looks like it was damaged or was shooting out a new piece...it's hard to see but the purple "bark" is fine then it gets really narrow like a thin stick then gets big again. This second big section stayed open while the rest of the coral stayed closed.

Hope that all makes sense. I'm more curious as to what's going on than anything.

now the pictures...

 

[Jaybird]

Sorry, I don't have any experience with gorgonia. Hopefully someone with some experience will be able to answer. In the second photo it looks like there was some die-off and you are just seeing the core of the branch. I can't really say why the coral would develop a coating like that, unless it was in reaction to something going on in your tank.