Help with new leather

[localhost]

A guy locally was getting rid of some of his frags. I got 2 different types of leathers from him. On type (I think a toadstool, gonna post in ID forum) is doing great. The other is not. When I put it in the tank yesterday, the little buds came out after about an hour in the tank. Today, they have stayed recessed and the leather has seemed to change from a tan color to a purplish color. Is everything ok or is it dying.

[Hara]

I would need to see the polyps out, but it appears to be a devils hand. It is common for them to react this way under stress. These are almost indestructable, I wouldnt worry about it.

http://www.fantasyreef.com/database/...d=5&item_id=50

[localhost]

OK. I had some xenia that was rubbing against it today. I have since moved the 2 further apart so that there will be no contact. Hopefully the polyps will come out tomorrow and I will feel much better.

[localhost]

Ok, I hate to stress and bother but how long should this frag look like this if nothing is bothering it. I've never had anything in my tank act like this before. I was browsing the photo gallery and found another user with a devil's hand frag that looked like this also <<pic>>.

Can anybody give me more info on this or am I going to have to worry about this until either it shrivels up and dies or starts to look normal. Also, how would I know if it was dead?

[Fluff]

You need to give it a few days. It may shed as well during this down time. Be patient. As long as the coral is intact, no white spots and seems otherwise healthy, I wouldn't worry.

[localhost]

OK, the leather seems to be declining. It is shrivelling up and I am seeing some white spots. I don't mind waiting it out, just don't want it to disturb my tank.

[Fluff]

This happens and it is dying in that area but it may not be a total loss. I had the same thing happen to one of mine and lost the top of it but it recovered and doubled in size in just a few weeks. I used a turkey baster and blew gently on it to clean away any dead tissue and just watched it. I did this several times a day. You could also try fragging it if it gets to bad. It looks like the spot is at the bottom. You could try cutting above that and try saving that tip. Leathers in my experience are pretty tough. I wouldn't give up on it.

[melosu58]

I agree dont give up on it. I believe that it`s sloughing. This is when it will look dormant and rough looking. Do as Mrs hara and Mrs fluff say. They know what they are talking about.

[localhost]

Well guess what, yesterday was this coral's worst day. Was very shrivelled up. Then this morning I look over and thought to myself, man that sick leather has gotten quite large today. Then about 15 minutes later, the polyps started to come out. I think it's recovering from the change in environment and going to survive - just like Hara and Fluff said. You guys rock.

[Hara]

in a few months, you will be wishing it had croaked! These things grow quite rapidly to huge proportions and start dropping little offspring all over the place. I am glad it is doing better for you (misery loves company!)