Reviving a struggling torch coral

[zenfox8]

Hey RC, so I picked up a Torch Coral a few weeks back and threw it in the tank. After a week or two, I started noticing some of the heads were dying off - figured out the issue was probably the light source, it just wasn't strong enough for LPS. I recently swapped to a reefbreeders photon 48 and the right side of the coral's doing great, but still nothing on the left side.

Is it possible for the heads to grow back? If they can, what's the usual timeframe I'm looking at?

[flame9x]

I'm not optimistic about the dead heads regrowing, however, I do believe new heads will develop over time.

[zenfox8]

Yeah, usually takes some time for new heads to form, right?

[flame9x]

My hammer's done alright for itself, added 2-3 heads in about 5 months. Torch, on the other hand, hasn't shown any new growth. Had a rough patch with the water and lost 2 out of 4 heads - torch corals always seem to be the first to go.

[zenfox8]

Appreciate the info, thanks.

[axonify]

I've had my fair share of torch corals, and I gotta say, they've been the slowest-growing euphyllias in my tank.

[flameonix]

I've seen LPS heads recover if there's still some tissue left on them. Once algae starts growing where the polyp used to be, though, it's usually game over. This isn't unique to LPS - many stony corals, including SPS like acros, can make a comeback if there's even a tiny bit of living tissue left, given the right conditions. I tend to leave anything I think is dead in the tank for a bit, until it starts growing algae or is clearly gone.

It's hard to tell from the picture, but the second head from the left might still have a bit of polyp left.

[zenfox8]

I've seen LPS heads recover if there's still some tissue left on them. Once algae starts growing where the polyp used to be, though, it's usually game over. This isn't unique to LPS - many stony corals, including SPS like acros, can make a comeback if there's even a tiny bit of living tissue left, given the right conditions. I tend to leave anything I think is dead in the tank for a bit, until it starts growing algae or is clearly gone.

It's hard to tell from the picture, but the second head from the left might still have a bit of polyp left.

Thanks for the info, really appreciate it. That second head from the left does indeed have some tissue left, and no algae growth yet. Keeping my fingers crossed, hoping it makes a comeback.