Look what I found "IN" my SPS

[losmandy]

I posted this photo in the Singapore Reef Club and an another reefers noticed that the polyps were not extending.



So I checked the colony carefully and found some holes at the base, if you also look at the photo properly you'll see some holes (green in color) and also part of the base appears to be bleached, they are not bleached but rather "tunnels" below it.

I dig and follow the tunnel and it eventually lead to this.

Didn't know how it got into the colony or maybe it came with it?



Now I know why this colony was not doing well for the last 1 year. Not much grow and lost it's color. It's supposed to be pink body with blue tips.

[barky]

Whooo how did you manage to get that nasty flat worm out whole. Brian

[losmandy]

I cut the colony up and then found it in the SPS. Now I glue the colony back and see polyps extension already.

[Orion76]

Interesting. Do you think the worm dug the tunnels or was it just hiding in them? I'm inclined to suspect the latter.

[losmandy]

I really had no idea but after removal of the worm the colony has started to show polyps extension so that is a good sign.

[Orion76]

I can imagine, if I had a bristle worm crawling up my cavities I'd have poor polyp extension too

[invincible569]

interesting. it definitely could of dug itself in the coral over time. and since then, it has been annoying the coral all that time. kind of like you touching your coral and the polyps go in, but instead this was a 24/7 effect. Im not sure if that worm was actually aiming to kill SPS. If it is, keep an eye on your other corals to see if you see anything similiar.

[losmandy]

Many months ago I did noticed some tissues recession at some parts of the base but since this colony is supposed to be quite a rare find so I left it in the tank. The colony eventually encrust over the recessed area and I didn't pay much attention to it since it was at the rear of the tank.

Only after converting to Barebottom, I shifted the colony out and noticed the polyps not extending.

After removal of the pest the colony polyps has started to be extended but still not as great as my other milepora colony, I guess it takes time for full recovery.

I checked all my other colony and all seems fine. Keeping my fingers crossed.

[fkadir]

Maybe you should past me a frag of that to safekeep?

[nyfireman3097]

i agree me tooo lol happy to hear that its looking better already
Nick