Cue for Tubastrea releasing polyps?

[Matt_Wandell]

Hello all, I've seen that some people are filming the released polyps of Tubastrea colonies on video, and I assume also catching them for settlement on rocks.

Any idea how to know when the release occurs, or to induce it? I know my Tubastrea colonies are releasing polyps, but I have no idea when it happens. Anybody catching the polyps?

I've got plenty of babies on the rockwork, but I'd like to get a better settlement rate if it's at all possible.

 

[uhuru]

Matt,

I have caught a polyp before and placed it in a little dish with tank water to observe. I think you can collect them and place them in a cup with rock rubble, and place the cup in a low flow area of the tank. It should work as they are pretty quick to attach to anything as long as the flow doesn't blow them away. Most of my planulae are caught by the other corals in my tank though since it is so densely stocked and the flow is so strong. I have even found multiple planulae stuck on my dendronephthya (they do not survive though).

I don't know what cues there are or how to induce it though, other than stress.

 

[Matt_Wandell]

Thanks. That'd be neat if you could get a photo of them on the Dendronephthya. You mean they settle on the main stalk of the coral, right?

I stare at this tank more than I should be and for the life of me I've never seen a polyp released. Might be worth placing some colonies in a container overnight to see what happens.

 

[timmmysli]

I read a reefers comment once that he had successfully encouraged his to release by turning off all flow in his DT for lengthy periods twice every month. He had written that on the first occasion he was re-plumbing the tank and had the pumps off then after a few hours he noticed they had released.

Worth a try I guess as long as your remember to turn it all back on.

 

[suta4242]

I've had mine release when pumps are turned off at night for feeding, but I think it could be coincidence. In the recent coral spawnings on the West coast they occurred at night during a neap tide. I guess this would be similar to our tanks when pumps are turned off???

 

[GreshamH]

Thanks. That'd be neat if you could get a photo of them on the Dendronephthya. You mean they settle on the main stalk of the coral, right?

I stare at this tank more than I should be and for the life of me I've never seen a polyp released. Might be worth placing some colonies in a container overnight to see what happens.

Ahh the life of a Biologist II You have a dream job my friend