Brain coral question

[jake]

So I've had a brain coral for around 4yrs w/ no problems till recently. It unattached itself from it's skeleton and has still remained healthy. The only thing is the now it floats around the where ever the current takes it. The coral still opens up its normal 4-5". But now the question comes in.... the coral was sucked into my filter tip(pyramid shaped). By the time I noticed it I removed the tip and was unable to take the coral out of the tip. So I put the tip in the sand and now the coral opens half through the top of the tip and the other half through the side. I'm not sure how to remove the coral w/o damaging it. Is it possible to slice the coral in half to free it from the filter tip??? Would the coral die or would it end up being two brain corals?? Any advice, thanks in advance.

[Squiers007]

Let me get this straight. Your brain coral (I'm assuming its was a Favia, correct me if I'm wrong) detached from its skeleton and was been living as a free floating mass of polyps? I would love to see some pictures of this as I have never heard of this before and did not know that they could live after becoming detached. Do you know how it became detached in one piece? and is there still any tissue on the old skeleton? Can't wait to see some pics and then I might be able to offer some better suggestions for what to do.

[msmith619]

Is that what happens when you give someone a piece of your mind?
Is it now brain-damaged?
......sorry, I couldn't resist :angel:

[ballardjr2000]

a floating brain is that like day dreaming? PICS for sureare needed on this one.

[Mr Cob]

huh? pics?

[jake]

Sorry the brain I believe is a Trachyphyllia. As for the pics, I'll try posting some tomorrow but my camera isn't the greatest(just a little heads up).

[jake]

Well, here it goes...
http://i601.photobucket.com/albums/tt95/jstille/brain.jpg

[edshas2]

thats pretty crazy ive never heard of this, didnt think a brain would do this, it still looks healthy. weird??

[Mr Cob]

I didn't even think this was possible.

http://www.thesea.org/brain_coral/brain_coral_care.htm


"Brain Coral Care and Overall Health

You should be vigilant about maintaining your corals- proper brain coral care includes making regular assessments of the coral’s health. Warning signs to look for when doing brain coral care assessments include bleaching, tissue becoming detached from the coral’s skeletal system, and the how regularly the polyps extend, in addition to how much they extend. Most likely you will need to adjust the water quality of the tank if these things are found during overall brain coral care. Another possibility is aggression from a neighboring specimen which may threaten develop of the brain coral."

[Mr Cob]

Similar scenario:

Detached but signs that it is healthy...

http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=132038

[cbianco]

It's like a frag plug gone bad, lol.

Could you cut away the PH screen very carefully and slowly?

Christopher

[jake]

I'm thinking about trying to cut it, I just don't want to kill it. It became detached due to a cyno bacteria attack. After I treated for the bacteria was maybe 1/4 unattached. Then I had a sand sifting goby that started covering everything and the coral just had enough from then and completely detached.

[ballardjr2000]

wow crazy, hope all goes well for you.

[jake]

Well good news, I'm guessing overnite the brain released itself from the filter cap on its own. So, I didn't have to slice anything and nothing was damaged. Will take some pics of brain later.

[OrionN]

I think it will eventually form new skeleton.

[Third Coast Tropical]

that is wild.....if it happens again...try taking wire snips to that plastic filter cover and free that coral....you can always get a new filter cover or make one...

[Mr Cob]

good to hear