need help with stick polyps

[jill]

Does anyone know why the tenticles on my acrozanthus have withdrawn? They were waving beautifully a week ago but since then they look like this. The usual parameters are in order, temp is good, salinity is 1.024 (I've been boosting it from a steady 1.023).
I feed with DT everyother night.

 

[Myteemouse]

what fish do you have in there??
Might have a "NIPPER"
of they are just pissed?

 

[lizardarm]

How long have they been in there. I agree with the possible "nipper" (angelfish). Maybe too much light? That's a long shot though. Almost looks like they've all got a hold of some nummies.

 

[jill]

Nippers are definitely a possibility as I have a coral beauty, lemon peel and small majestic. They have all coexisted peacefully for the past 2 months and I haven't seen any nipping going on in the last week but its possible they just wait until my back is turned. lol

Will the zoas die if they stay all curled up like that?

 

[kevinpo]

Hello,
The coral pictured is most likely of the Protopalythoa Genus. Perhaps P. variabilis. They are zooplankton eaters so meaty foods such as mysis or finely ground raw shrimp are appropriate substitutes. They do not eat phytoplankton such as DT's.
You can use and eye dropper or turkey baster to feed the coral. If the coral polyp closes up on the food you can take that as a sign of a healthy and hungry coral. They prefer low flow and low to moderate light but they can be adapted to high light conditions. Regular feedings of once or twice a week are recommended for coral health and growth. They can be quite prolific with the proper nutrition doubling in number every six months or so.

Regards,
Kevin
PS: A salinity of 1.025-1.026 is more appropriate for reef corals.

 

[burning2nd]

i think its just a bad practice to be dosing like that, so often.. more then half of the stuff you dose, is probably being wasted, or adding to nutrients.

 

[jill]

Hello,
The coral pictured is most likely of the Protopalythoa Genus. Perhaps P. variabilis. They are zooplankton eaters so meaty foods such as mysis or finely ground raw shrimp are appropriate substitutes. They do not eat phytoplankton such as DT's.
You can use and eye dropper or turkey baster to feed the coral. If the coral polyp closes up on the food you can take that as a sign of a healthy and hungry coral. They prefer low flow and low to moderate light but they can be adapted to high light conditions. Regular feedings of once or twice a week are recommended for coral health and growth. They can be quite prolific with the proper nutrition doubling in number every six months or so.

Regards,
Kevin
PS: A salinity of 1.025-1.026 is more appropriate for reef corals.

Thanks Kevin,
I will get the salinity up. The only problem with hand feeding them is that they have popped up in about 8different places in the tank and my tank (unfortunately) is 31" deep. I have also been putting Frozen Oyster Eggs and Cyclopeeze frozen bar phytoplanton (and zooplankton) in the tank at night. Do you recommend another type of prepared food that would be good?
Jill

 

[jill]

i think its just a bad practice to be dosing like that, so often.. more then half of the stuff you dose, is probably being wasted, or adding to nutrients.

I have a big tank. Do you have a recommendation on how I should dose? I'd appreciate any thoughts.

 

[jill]

Hello,
The coral pictured is most likely of the Protopalythoa Genus. Perhaps P. variabilis. They are zooplankton eaters so meaty foods such as mysis or finely ground raw shrimp are appropriate substitutes. They do not eat phytoplankton such as DT's.
You can use and eye dropper or turkey baster to feed the coral. If the coral polyp closes up on the food you can take that as a sign of a healthy and hungry coral. They prefer low flow and low to moderate light but they can be adapted to high light conditions. Regular feedings of once or twice a week are recommended for coral health and growth. They can be quite prolific with the proper nutrition doubling in number every six months or so.

Regards,
Kevin
PS: A salinity of 1.025-1.026 is more appropriate for reef corals.

Oh, the other thing is that the LFS called them zoanthid sp scleractina (I just found the tag). I'm not sure how that fits with Protopalythoa Genus. (Perhaps P. variabilis. as you said). I guess I will have to do some homework!
Thanks!

 

[kevinpo]

Hello,
If they are popping up around the tank then nutrition and/or lighting is not a problem. Corals will not spend the energy to reproduce if there is not sufficient nutrition. Cyclopeeze and oyster eggs are good foods that will provide correct nutrients for many corals.

HTH,
Kevin
PS: Excessive algae growth can be a sign of dosing too much food.