blue flowerpot
- Thread starter nwpschris
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John Kelly
Goniopora Aficionado
I've seen several with blue tentacles. They were actually purple colored species (Goniopora tenuidens) that had changed to blue for some reason (temperature of bulbs?, elements in the water?, food?). One of the blue ones later turned into a rustic red color after it was moved into a different tank with different lighting (shown below in the first two pics).
Photographed under 14k 275w x 2 MH bulbs.
15k lighting. You would think that the 15k would be more blue than the 14k. It almost has a purple cast to it.
Purple G. tenuidens under 10k.
Purple G. tenuidens retracted
Do a google search for "Goniopora tenuidens". There is an article entitled "A purple-blue chromoprotein from Goniopora tenuidens belongs to the DsRed subfamily of GFP-like proteins". I don't understand the tech-lingo mumbo jumbo, so I don't know how it relates to the color shift seen in the coral above (if it even does at all), but it appears that it does
.
One thing to remember is that the more the polyps and tentacles are retracted, the more intense the colors will appear. Unfortunately, if a goniopora sits around retracted all of the time, it is probably not very healthy or something is irritating it.
Photographed under 14k 275w x 2 MH bulbs.
15k lighting. You would think that the 15k would be more blue than the 14k. It almost has a purple cast to it.
Purple G. tenuidens under 10k.
Purple G. tenuidens retracted
Do a google search for "Goniopora tenuidens". There is an article entitled "A purple-blue chromoprotein from Goniopora tenuidens belongs to the DsRed subfamily of GFP-like proteins". I don't understand the tech-lingo mumbo jumbo, so I don't know how it relates to the color shift seen in the coral above (if it even does at all), but it appears that it does
.One thing to remember is that the more the polyps and tentacles are retracted, the more intense the colors will appear. Unfortunately, if a goniopora sits around retracted all of the time, it is probably not very healthy or something is irritating it.
Last edited:
John Kelly
Goniopora Aficionado
Re: blue flowerpot
I hope you are doing some research first before you start collecting them. The red and the purple are definitely less difficult than the green, but none of them are considered "easy".
John Kelly
Goniopora Aficionado
They ARE photosynthetic. It doesn't appear to benefit them 100% though. Feed them zooplankton and meaty bits of tiny foods that carnivorous corals feed on. Ocassionally dose the tank with phytoplankton if you have it. ......I ran out over a year ago.
John Kelly
Goniopora Aficionado
sp.
should be "Occasionally"
empireinc00
New member
feed them zooplankton --> oyster eggs.
boomsticks
New member
Feed them RAW ROYSTERS! I'M A PIRATE!
J. Montgomery
Mouth Pipetting
There is an article entitled "A purple-blue chromoprotein from Goniopora tenuidens belongs to the DsRed subfamily of GFP-like proteins". I don't understand the tech-lingo mumbo jumbo, so I don't know how it relates to the color shift seen in the coral above (if it even does at all), but it appears that it does
- DsRed is a Red Fluorescent Protein that was isolated from Discosoma striata (Red Mushroom Anemonae) . . . GFP is Green Fluorescent Protein that was isolated from the jellyfish Aquoria victoria . . . they're both used in molecular biology to track proteins with fluorescent microscopes. Very cool stuff, I work with both of them.
I don't think that article relates to color changes observed in moving corals from one system to another. It sounds more like a structural/evolutionary biology-thing relating to the classification of proteins (fluorescent proteins isolated from marine organisms is currently a "hot topic" in research).
- DsRed is a Red Fluorescent Protein that was isolated from Discosoma striata (Red Mushroom Anemonae) . . . GFP is Green Fluorescent Protein that was isolated from the jellyfish Aquoria victoria . . . they're both used in molecular biology to track proteins with fluorescent microscopes. Very cool stuff, I work with both of them.
I don't think that article relates to color changes observed in moving corals from one system to another. It sounds more like a structural/evolutionary biology-thing relating to the classification of proteins (fluorescent proteins isolated from marine organisms is currently a "hot topic" in research).
John Kelly
Goniopora Aficionado
I think the article may be part of the essence of the relationship to color changes observed in moving corals from one system to another (one environment to another). The premise that the authors are arguing is that "A purple-blue chromoprotein from Goniopora tenuidens belongs to the DsRed subfamily of GFP-like proteins."
If a conversion is made, which I think is what the authors are explaining, then light spectrum absorption would change and therefore so would the color being expressed.
Quote from article: "Unexpectedly, our results demonstrate that the purple-blue chromoprotein from Goniopora tenuidens contains the same chromophore as DsRed."
I have seen Blue tenuidens, I have seen Purple tenuidens, and I have seen Red tenuidens. Too me, the different color shifts within the same coral indicates the potential for a shift in spectrum from one side (Blue) to the other (Red).
Maybe I'll ask the inhouse RC chemist to see what he thinks.
Here is a pic showing Blue and Purple in the same coral (G. tenuidens):
J. Montgomery
Mouth Pipetting
John, thanks for pointing out that article, that was a good find. I downloaded the full text and it made for an interesting read. I also like the pictures you posted, did you take 'em? Thats some quality work.
The fluorescent proteins are only one of many different types of pigments found in corals. I'm GUESSING that changes in coral colors is more analagous to leaves changing color in the fall (different ratios of expression), as opposed to chemical modifications. The types of conditions the researchers used in their experiments (highly acidic conditions, like pH 1.8) in order to change the absorbance spectrum (not to be confused with the emission spectrum) and PROBABLY not biologically relevant.
The fluorescent proteins are only one of many different types of pigments found in corals. I'm GUESSING that changes in coral colors is more analagous to leaves changing color in the fall (different ratios of expression), as opposed to chemical modifications. The types of conditions the researchers used in their experiments (highly acidic conditions, like pH 1.8) in order to change the absorbance spectrum (not to be confused with the emission spectrum) and PROBABLY not biologically relevant.
coralcutie
New member
I've had a red one for more than 2 years, almost entirely encrusted on its skeleton. It was only a flat piece about 3" x 2" , the other day I picked it up, its now like a tennis ball, 3x3" round...
Chaotic Reefer4u
♥Acropora Aficionado♥
good info...
Catharsis70
New member
I didnt have luck with mine until I started feeding cyclpleeze in the water collumn....I mean it survived but didnt thrive. Now it extends a good 1/2 inch off the the base durring the day.
One of the blue ones later turned into a rustic red color after it was moved into a different tank with different lighting (shown below in the first two pics).
How long did that change take?
My understanding is that color relates most to lighting levels and possibly spectrum (and not so much elements in thye water, aside perhaps from nutrients that drive zoox levels higher, browning up certain corals), but I think this is an area where hobbyists have more info and experiences than professional scientists, and exactly how it relates to different pigments isn't clear.
In some organisms, color can come from pigments in organisms that are consumed, so different food sources can also impact colors in some cases.
How long did that change take?
My understanding is that color relates most to lighting levels and possibly spectrum (and not so much elements in thye water, aside perhaps from nutrients that drive zoox levels higher, browning up certain corals), but I think this is an area where hobbyists have more info and experiences than professional scientists, and exactly how it relates to different pigments isn't clear.
In some organisms, color can come from pigments in organisms that are consumed, so different food sources can also impact colors in some cases.
