Why do my Zoo’s have really long tentacles/Skirts?

[MUCHO REEF]

Polyps which seem to reach vertical CAN be as a result of the need for more light, but not always. In fact, in my opinion, often it isn't the cause for polyp elongation. What we see physically in our tanks isn't always what the polyps looked like when and if they were harvested from the wild. Zoanthids and Palythoas alike in captivity can possible change their morphology, ( their size, color, shape, stalk lenght and even their striations, specks and pigment ) in captivity. Not trying to sound like a big head here, but if someone doesn't know that, then they might lean towards saying it's always a lack of light. In fact, it’s also possible and sometimes happen if there is a sudden or planned increase in tank current will also illicit a polyp elongation temporarily or permanently. I have seen it many times. I mean the things we played with experimentally back in the day was crazy.





MUCHO REEF

PS, btw, when you say growing lenghtwise ( vertically ), you meant extending, right?

I forgot to add this but some charactoristically have long stalks as is the case with many of them from Figi for example. When a reefer buys/picks up/receive their new polyps they are most always stressed, some more than others based upon transit lenght, type, duration etc. When these new acquisitions are placed in aquaria and they take on the appearance of a small polyp as stated in this thread, that is what the reefer expects them to look like. What we seldom know is how they appeared in the wild. Thus we we see a polyp which begins to elongate, we immediately think it is stretchig for light, not always. All polyps are not alike, the collected regions are not alike and when polyps begin to change, more often than not, the reefer has done something that closely replicates the collected region, the polyps are now happy, and they take on their orinigal appearance in the wild. Then we label it polyp extension, stretching or elongation etc etc etc, just not always the case.

Believe it or not, we have a wide range of variable influence upon the corals we keep. Understanding and applying those influences can make all the difference between a happy tank that thrives or an unhappy tank which fails.

Is anyone else gonna talk besides me?

MUCHO REEF

 

[Thrawn]

I have nothing to add (sorry) but as someone who has just started a mostly zoa tank, this discussion is a great read. Thanks guys!