Montipora Damage - Pics

[Zibba]

I've been trying to ID this below. I just noticed it this afternoon. None of the other monti's in my tank are showing signs of damage. I thought it might have been moni eating nudibranch but from other pictures I've seen it doesn't appear to be the same. Seems to be the only logical thing though.

I don't have my good camera so these pictures will have to do for now. What are your thoughts? This piece has been in my tank for over 2 months without any other signs of damage. Again, none of the other corals have this happening to them. Only recent addition to my tank was some acan's last weekend.

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z187/zibba02/Monti-Pic-1.jpg
http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z187/zibba02/Monti-Pic-2.jpg
http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z187/zibba02/Monti-Close-Up.jpg


FWIW - I could easily frag around this and remove the damaged part. The top looks normal; polyps are extended, color is fine.

[hypertech]

I'm no expert on this. Did it happen really fast? Did its appearance coincide with your precipitation event? Is it getting bigger? And how fast?

The middle almost looks like an algae.

[Zibba]

I just noticed it today. Assuming the size of the damage, I think I would have noticed it earlier had it been spreading slowly. I don't think that it has anything to do with the precipitation - all parameters are back to normal now (and I saw no other side effects from the pH swing).

I've been trying to get a good look at it, but it's difficult because of the angle that the coral is at. I know it isn't a very clear picture, but where it is "shiny" - those are bubbles that have gotten trapped under there.

[Chad Vossen]

my green monti cap has no tissue on the under side, its covered by tube worms and sponges on the under side

thats how i got it

[mtfatwork]

I wouldn't worry too much about it unless it is on the side that is getting light. If the area is not getting any reflective light (or not enough) it will die back in that spot. The algae is normal on dead tissue too. Phosphates tend to be absorbed in dead sps species, that is what turns them green (IIRC) if they sit in the tank for a while after being dead.

[spsick]

I would say it's normal underside lack of light die-off which happens in some peoples tanks but not in others (think it depends on your spped of growth), but it seems odd that it's only in that spot

[HermitSolo]

I would wonder if it's related to the pocket of air that has gathered there. If it has air there and not saltwater the organism has no way of picking up or releasing food, toxins, etc from that area. All of my montis that have developed pockets and trap air there die where the air is trapped..
..course now most of them are dead, but that's another story and all my fault.

[Zibba]

Ok. Glad to hear that it's probably not a predator. The only damage is on the under side of the plate. After just getting done with red bugs, I was bummed to think that I would be dealing with another pest.

HermitSolo - That is an interesting hypothesis. And btw, do you need replacement frags? The ones you've given me have been doing well, and I am more than happy to return the favor. I owe you. PM me if you want.

[twincitiesreefer]

i also have some orange monti cap that i can frag for u if u want.i can bring it on sat

[HermitSolo]

Thanks for the offers guys. I think I need to let the tank settle for awhile before I start adding anything again. I'll be setting up the frag tank this weekend so I should be ready for some stuff to put in there in a few weeks.