Toadstool leather coral question pics

[reefie]

I just recently got this toadstool leather from a lfs, I am running a 400w metal halide with a 20000k bulb which I recently setup, its 10-12 inches high from water. I have been leaving on for about 6 hrs since switching from pcs. I was curious if this toadstool is looking normal or if I should be worried. The polyps do come out but rarely do I see them most of the time it looks like this. It has only been in my tank for a week or so. also I have about 3 powerheads and good water flow. temps are around 80-85 consistently with lights on lower when they are off.

this angle may help as well
hoping placement is okay, not sure if it would be better in the sand or up on the rocks where it is now

any help is appreciated.

 

[ccCapt]

400w MH is a ton of light for a leather coral. I would try moving it down to the bottom.

 

[yote]

+1 Capt
You've got that leather WAY to high for the amount of light you have.

 

[andysgirl8800]

I would also move it lower from those lights. It may also be molting, which it may do when stressed.

 

[Bifferwine]

Yep, move it to the bottom and give it some time. Leathers take a long time to adjust when they've been disturbed. It may take several weeks for the polyps to start coming out.

 

[reefie]

thanks guys, what exactly is molting?

 

[Bifferwine]

Leathers shed their outermost layer of skin on a regular basis. During this time, they may appear to shrivel up, melt away, slime up, etc. It can look like they're dying or sick. It can take a few days to a week for them to shed, but then they come back looking normal again.

 

[the reef kid]

It's like when a reptile sheds it's skin. Except with leathers they just slime up and and then don't open up for a while. Or at least that's what I've read, I've never kept one.

Ninja'd by Biff :grumble:

 

[reefie]

wow thanks for the info I didnt know that and probably would have been worried, kinda like when my coral banded shrimp sheds. looks like there is two in there!

 

[Melosu58]

It`s called sloughing. All leathers do from time to time.