Something eating my millipora

[gnatp2]

You go on vacation for a week, come back and realize your roommates forgot to feed the fish the entire time.

One of my milli pieces has been picked at quite heavily. The tips look just fine on it, but all of the "bark" (don't know the technical word) off the base and up the trunk of the coral has been chewed off it appears. Kinda like the same way deer strip trees of their bark. I'm guessing this is one of my fish but no idea who. Wondering if anyone has had something like this happen and if there are any likely candidates. Also, is there any hope for the "bark" to grow back? I wouldn't think so, but don't know. Also, the coral has retained its color well but has very little polyp extension.

Possible suspects: (* my guesses)
Blue Damselfish
Maroon Clownfish
Royal gramma
Orange stripped goby
Fridmani Pseudochromis *
False Percula clownfish
Six line wrasse *
Emerald crab
cleaner shrimp

Also, I want to verify that this does look like a fish has been picking at it and not some disease.

Nate

 

[jackson6745]

Nate, could be a fish, maybe a small crab, or the dreaded Acro flatworms. Dip it in tropic marin pro cure.

 

[reefman]

i believe its call "recession" n its usually due to water quality probelm
none of ur fishes seem like the sps pecking type but might be hungry enough.
but i would like it the tips would go 1st since polyps at the tips r the most attactive to be peck on.
it is only my guess so take it with a rock of salt:biggrin:

 

[gnatp2]

Nate, could be a fish, maybe a small crab, or the dreaded Acro flatworms. Dip it in tropic marin pro cure.

I thought about the pro cure, but am worried that it will stres the coral out even more after the abuse it has taken and die. I've had a couple corals die after a dip. I'd rather only dip after knowing that flat worms are the problem. Also if you couldn't tell, it is encrusted well and that rock sure aint moving unless I do some serious restructuring.

Nate

 

[gnatp2]

i believe its call "recession" n its usually due to water quality probelm

Gotcha, Breaking out the test kits now and seeing what I end up with.

 

[Wes]

i believe its call "recession" n its usually due to water quality probelm

i had millis look just like this and it was high and/or unstable alkalinity problem. Check your params first before you dip it. I dipped one before i realized my problem and it died and no bugs fell off. If it's stressed out that bad it may not survive the dip. My other milles recovered after getting alk under control.

 

[gnatp2]

Ok, tested some parameters:
Ca: 420
PH: 8.1
ALK: 5.8!!!!!!

Found the likely problem. The calcium reactor had stopped dripping yet again (as the frickin thing always does). Thinking about going the 2-part route.

I'll raise the alk a bit over the next couple days and let you guys know if there is any further recession. Also, is there a chance of the "bark" growing back?

Nate

 

[Wes]

bring it up to what it's used to SLOWLY...It may take a while but w/ some care it can come back.