How to distinguish a healthy vs. unhealthy polyp?

[SIR PATRICK]

What signs do you guys look for to distinguish a healthy vs. not healthy polyp? What are the tell tale signs, and what are some others, that might be hard to see, without very close inspection?

 

[MUCHO REEF]

Healthy polyps will exhibit the following.


1. A robust appearance, not skinny or appearing to be collapsed or pinched.
2. Erect, not wilting over.
3. Full bodied, not crinkled or wrinkled.
4. Fully expanded, not partially open or with sporadic retraction throughout.
5. With color, not bleached, partially bleached or unbalanced coloration.
6. Healthy with no signs of bacterial infection, fungus or z. pox.
7. Intact, with no shedding/shredding of the cuticle (outer skin).
8. Free of any pathogens, predators or hoist which cause retraction.
9. Free of decay denoted by a foul odor which is a precursor to possible mortality.
10. Free of slim. Slim is a sign that denotes stress, but not necessarily poor health.

Everything is visual/sensory observation. Just my opinion.

Good question.



MUCHO REEF

 

[MUCHO REEF]

CORRECT

10. Free of slime. Slime is a sign that denotes stress, but not necessarily poor health.

NOT SLIM :hammer:

 

[SIR PATRICK]

I am sure there are others that have some experience on this subject.

Looking forward to hearing more!

 

[organism]

No brownish powder looking stuff on the stems, that one's a clear sign of recently fragged/shipped and can eat them up. Stems should be the same color throughout.

 

[MUCHO REEF]

No brownish powder looking stuff on the stems, that one's a clear sign of recently fragged/shipped and can eat them up. Stems should be the same color throughout.

Great point OG. :thumbsup:

 

[BlueCorn]

12. They should be firm to a gentle squeeze or touch. Polyps compromised by a parasite such as a zoa spider will be soft and easily deformed.