How can I tell if my LPS is dead?

[FlexLuthor]

Hey Guys,
If u read my last thread u know my tank, which at the time was bordering on perfection in my eyes, completely and utterly crashed.
The softies have begun to recover as if nothing happened. My lps however has completely recessed, and as of yesterday started spewing forth white jelly. Now as of today I saw hermit nipping at the jelly. How long before I say they're dead, they're never coming back, and its now time to cry myself to sleep?

Furthermore, I believe my mini brittle stars died, and i have not seen a pod run around since everything happened. Would they come back, or do i have to reintroduce them?

In short my life sucks, and my tank is a shell of itself =(.....
shoot me now

 

[masterswimmer]

This is not going to be a fun post. Morbid actually comes to mind. Oh well, here goes. You can tell when your LPS coral are dead by pretty much looking at it and seeing nothing but skeleton anywhere you look.

Examples of dead LPS:

Pic #1 = Dead Euphyllia
Pic #2 = Dead Pavona
Pic #3 = Dead Trachyphyllia
Pic #4 = Dead Turbinaria

If you see any signs of life on the skeleton, even a small piece of fleshy polyp, believe it or not, with the right conditions (low light, low flow, low nutrients, great water quality, and zero inverts or fish to pick on it) I have seen these coral come back to life. Granted it can take 2-3 years for it to even somewhat resemble what it once did, but that just means you need to exhibit patience when trying to rehabilitate an LPS that is on the brink of death.

Best of luck with your's.

Russ

 

[kalapnath]

Wow great answer and examples SWIMMER .............

 

[basiab]

Where there is life there is hope.
As far as pods go you probably have some but if you find the need you can always add some. Mini,stars , you may have some just keep an eye out for them. I used to have hundreds and then they just disappeared. As a tank matures it goes through different cycles of life forms.

 

[FlexLuthor]

I see skeleton, but i see maybe some flesh in the middle.

 

[FlexLuthor]

though i could be seeing things.....
how long should i give it before i say.....there dead....
Please God, take me instead!!

 

[FlexLuthor]

ok i think i'm dead in the water. I'll be posting pictures tomorrow.