problem with Montipora

[dwkoller]

About a week ago a noticed a small white area on the surface of this montipora. Was on a business trip out of town last week, when I came home the bleached area had grown considereably,

Water parameters;

temp 78
sal 1.024
ph 8.2
cal 390
alk 10
nitrites 0
ammonia 0
nitrtes 10
phos 0.10

My other montipora seem okay. There has been no change in the lights...

Any ideas as to the cause of this problem. Should I atempt to frag the good part .

Thanks for your help

dwk

[FishinInTheDark]

Fragging the healthy parts will be the only way to save it. I believe that once tissue necrosis starts, it won't stop. I would suggest doing that right away and get the dying part out of the tank.

I wish you luck.

[Doctor_Reef]

I would be in agreement with Conni!!! You have some nice tissue it looks like you could get several frags from that piece!!!

[Sugar Magnolia]

Agreed. It could be any number of diseases, so fragging the remaining healthy flesh and removing the dead coral is your best bet. Be sure to frag well away from the receeding flesh.

[dwkoller]

Thanks for your advice.

I was able to salvage three pieces.

This is the first time I've experienced this, my other montipora seem okay -- are they at risk? When I first noticed the small white blemish about a week ago, should I have cut the blemish out, moved it to the q-tank, used meds?


Thanks again for your help.

dwk

[NaH2O]

I would say the answer to this depends on what caused the blemish in the first place.

How long had the coral been in this location? Does detritus settle on the coral in this area, if so, does it get turkey basted once in a while to help remove the detritus from sitting on the coral? What is in close proximity to the coral.....any other corals, like an LPS? Is it getting shaded by anything?

[Condiman]

NaH2O, Has some excellent questions to ask yourself when this happens.