Can you overfeed LPS corals?

[GroktheCube]

I've got three settling in now (favia, favites, galaxea) that had a rather rough transition due to a messup on my part (contaminated QT), and I've been feeding them pretty heavily to give them an extra boost.

Assuming the tank's filtration can handle it without adversely affecting water quality, is there any harm in feeding these guys heavily to help them recover?

 

[philosophile]

I've heard you can over feed them.... food might start rotting in their stomachs or something to that effect. Once or twice a week is usually sufficient... every other day probably at the most.

 

[joe3196]

I once lost an elegance this way I wouldn’t feed any more than twice a week there is only one Orpheus that the food needs to go in and the waste has to come out of so make sure u always give the coral a few days after each feeding.

 

[Bpb]

Good to know. I have been feeding my LPS like 4-5 times a week. I want fast growth, but I'll dial it back to only twice a week and see how they respond. I always figured, if the feeding tentacles are out, they're hungry and ready to eat

 

[SantaMonica]

A coral would probably eject what it does not want/need. However I've not studied this.

 

[xfactor1315]

My Duncan grows crazy fast when I feed him daily. My fungia colored up when I was feeding more often.

 

[mussel and hate]

My Cataphyllia just barfs what it doesn't want. Sooo, I guess I'm saying you can overfeed them but in my experience It doesn't seem particularly harmful.

 

[GroktheCube]

Interesting. There seem to be some varied opinions here. Thanks for all the feedback.

 

[NeilFox]

This is an interesting topic. I don't target feed (my fish just steal the food anyhow). I usually feed the fish and then bradcast feed corals a little. Maybe 1/3 gram a day. I stir the bottom and blow off the rocks shortly after feeding. Corals go crazy. Possibly some tasty fish poo in there!!!

 

[penfold2]

I target feed my LPS every day and haven't seen any negative effects. My Acans can't seem to get enough; they practically always have their polyps extended. As was stated, corals can and will regurgitate any food they don't need, so I see no reason to believe that excess food will harm them.

 

[GroktheCube]

I think for the time being, I'll keep offering food as long as they're putting out feeders. My favits looks like a mass of tentacles every night, and wolfs down food whenever it's offered. It's started to work on two new heads since I got it and nearly killed it the first day, so that seems to be working out for the time being. I am curious to hear more opinions though.

I just got an absolutely gorgeous Symphyllia from pacific east. It put out feeders for the first time tonight, and also happily took some Mysis and Cyclops, but I definitely don't want to risk killing it off