1 coral is opening 1 is not - any ideas why?

[djryan2000]

I purchased two zoa frags a couple days ago. One of them has 3 of the 5 heads open, and the other has neither of the two heads open. They were all open at one point very briefly. At first I assumed the frag with two polyps didn't open because of my CUC - the plug was covered in algae and they devoured it. However, it's now being left alone and not opening. They're right next to each other so I don't think it's a difference in flow.

Here's a pic

Water parameters -

(Salifert test kits)
Alkalinity 8.7
Calcium 440
Nitrates - ~20
Phosphates - undetectable by Salifert kit - might be a dud considering my nitrates
Magnesium - 1350
pH ~7.85
Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0
Salinity - 1.025 (Milwaukee)
Temp 79F


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[Uncle99]

I see a shrimp, famous for bugging stuff.
Just give it more time, say a week, then let’s see.
Parameters are on point.

 

[zheka757]

My first corals where zoas also, i had 11 frags, half of them opened up in couple hours, they other half took about from next day to a week to open up.
but in your picture i also see pest looks like vermetid snailthat in that upper arch in your rock work (looks like a heart)
if its is vermetid snail, and if you got more of them, perhaps right by your frag, they will **** corals off and will keep them closed.

 

[Sk8r]

It could be lighting if they are not the same zoa. I have one that's reproducing like mad in extreme lighting---an orange-rimmed type.

 

[djryan2000]

It could be lighting if they are not the same zoa. I have one that's reproducing like mad in extreme lighting---an orange-rimmed type.

I wonder if that's it. I have not tested the PAR on my lights but based on a BRS episode on them I'm guessing it's near 200 they're receiving. I run the lights based on my recommendations of my LFS - so I assumed the PAR would be similar to theirs.


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[tswizzle]

somtimes it just takes time, i've had new zoa frags close for a few weeks while adjusting then just start opening every day

 

[djryan2000]

My first corals where zoas also, i had 11 frags, half of them opened up in couple hours, they other half took about from next day to a week to open up.
but in your picture i also see pest looks like vermetid snailthat in that upper arch in your rock work (looks like a heart)
if its is vermetid snail, and if you got more of them, perhaps right by your frag, they will **** corals off and will keep them closed.

When you wrote this I thought the idea of vermetid snails in my tank was preposterous as the zoas are the first thing I've added except a fish.

However, they've taken over and covered my Duncan in webs making it close for the last 3 days and my scratching my head as to why until I saw the webs all over my rockscape after feeding and a water change.

These aren't the best photos to show it - they're everywhere.

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[Oldreeferman]

Yep, pretty much stuck with the vermetids now. I have finally found success with my infestation by,
1: pre-filtering all frozen foods.
2: Only feeding what they want eagerly and no more.
3: I also use along hard plastic tube to break away any growing by any corals so they do not get that web on them, it took a few months & patience but now they are almost gone or starved out, i no longer ever broadcast feed OR muck up the bottom substrate that will also get a vermetid feeding frenzy going BIG time.
If you placed live rock in the tank that is where you got them, its that or frag plugs almost guaranteed. If you keep them down by this way they actually do not harm anything and are an interesting marine addition i keep telling myself .......LOL.

 

[zheka757]

Ones the frag will grow into Colonie, it will grow over vermit snail, i had alot of them a year ago. Now that corals have grown from frags i dont notice snails any more. In your case right now since tank is new, you will have best growth out of vermeted snails then anything else.