Flavia Feeding

[BlueMoonFox]

Hello RC,

I'm new to reefing and have a question regarding my flavia. I've seen it stick a single tentacle out of two or three of the polyps, but I've never seen the full fuzzy head like most other polyps I've seen. I have tried to target feed, but it doesn't seem interested. Is the whole 'one tentacle' thing ok or is there an issue? I've heard of people using Coke bottles with the bottom removed and feeding that way...? Thanks!

 

[Reef Frog]

The short furry tentacles are for eating and can often trap & consume food as large as big mysis shrimp. The long tentacles can appear with or without the short ones, and seem to be primarily for defence.

Having only a few long tentacles come out isn't a cause for worry. Favias usually feed at night, especially when they sense food is in the water. Try looking several hours after lights out. In reality, they can catch stuff anytime in the water column so frequent feeding isn't an absolute necessity especially since it can contribute to algae problems if nutrients go awry. Sometimes it takes some time to settle in and begin feeding.

As long as there is no tissue recession, the color is OK and the polyps have reasonable inflation, it doesn't seem you have anything to worry about. It will show a feeding response when it is ready.

 

[Scorpius]

That looks like a Diploastrea not a Favia.

 

[BlueMoonFox]

It very well might be. Should I try to flatten the rock around it or will it grow over the old dead coral?

 

[Reef Bass]

+1 Diploastrea