Acropora Question

[Toadstool]

My LFS has a beautiful purple piece that I am considering purchasing. The only problem is some of the branches have begun to lose their color and turn white, it is a heavily branched piece with the majority of it looking fine. Will these branches recover and get some color back or will the color loss continue and possibly spread?

 

[pez]

It's hard to say, but generally, it will continue to spread and the entire colony will likely die. Have your LFS put it on hold and wait a week. You will know by then - chances are you will know in the next day or two.

-Tom

 

[Sue Truett]

I would have to think if it is already showing signs of being in decline it is probably past the point of return. Are there any polyps out on the acropora?? Is the lighting adequate at the LFS?? I would still think if the coral is already showing signs of bleaching it isn't going to recover, especially in a LFS.

my 180 ecosystem sps tank:
http://berlinmethod.com/suet/
my 120 ecosystem sps/clam tank:
http://suetruett.homestead.com/home.html
www.marshreef.org/members

 

[toptank]

I would agree with Sue T but what I would do is offer the guy a few bucks as if it get any worse it won't beable to sell it anyway and maybe you will beable to save part of it. Better than letter the whole thing die.

I did this with a montipora that they had under PCs and I gave the guy 5.00 and came home and frag the branches that were not bleached and those frags are doing great.

Just a idea.

 

[Ben1]

One of my LFS sells damaged corals for 5$. I got a SPS that was completely bleached, it slowly regained all of its color and became a dark brown. Later turning greenish brown.

Larger wild SPS heads are the most hard to bring back. They have grown adapt to a certain enviromental setting(lighting/ current)you wont be able to recreate in your tank.

 

[Toadstool]

Well, I couldn't resist it I did purchase it. Upon further examination it doesn't appear to be as bad as I thought. Only two of the tips appear to have bleached while the others are more of a very light purple.
It does have some polyp extension and seems to be acclimating well. I placed it at the very top of my tank (vho) and in good water flow. Do you think I should trim the white tips off or should I give it some time and see what happens? At least I know it is in a more suitable environment now!

 

[cubera]

Cut back the dead parts and let it heal. It should do fine