My Poor little Mushrooms...

Question
I made the overhang as you had suggested and blocked out a LOT of the direct lighting on the mushrooms, but they still seem to be curled/shrunken up (I'm sure they could shrink down more if they wanted to). I've checked my water, everything seems to be fine (calcium is a little high, but that's probably because of the "purple up" I use for my live rock). The tiny feather dusters on the rock it came with seem to be doing fine... and there's lots of little invertebrates and other un-name-able creatures wandering around my tank (I bought a culture of copepods and other critters AWHILE ago and they're just everywhere) As I said the Polyps are doing fantastic (when they're not pooping) and are branching off and forming more to the colony. I haven't had these mushrooms for very long, if you wanted I could forward you some pictures. Thanks again!

Answer
I am sorry to hear that they still are not doing well. Mushrooms don't like to be moved around a lot and sometimes the stress from that can cause them to shrink up a little. They usually bounce back in a week. Mushrooms can be pretty hardy and usually don't just up and die. I have had ones moved in my tank that fell off and weeks later reappeared somewhere else where they have settled down and opened up. Give them a little time. They may just be stressed out from being moved. They should not be completely in the dark either so make sure they are getting a little light. Give it some time and see how they do. Also make sure there is no crabs or anything walking on them because this may cause them to shrink as well. They will also expand and shrink throughout the day. Small in the morning, larger in the afternoon and a little smaller in the evening. If you would like to send me some pictures I would like to see them. I enjoy looking at pictures of peoples tanks and since yours is such an unusual shape it makes it even more interesting! You can e-mail me at tankgirl527@hotmail.com .