New dendro will not open
- Thread starter rostato
- Start date
rostato
Active member
It was sold to me as an orange dendro..., but I am no expert.
I have put food around it, but anything near it seems to make it completly retract.
My shrimps just like to pose for me, they don't go near it.
Everyone else who bought these was complaining about them not opening too, but they have finally had success....me not so much!
I have put food around it, but anything near it seems to make it completly retract.
My shrimps just like to pose for me, they don't go near it.
Everyone else who bought these was complaining about them not opening too, but they have finally had success....me not so much!
stunreefer
Reef Hugger
stunreefer
Reef Hugger
What was extented about a 1/4"?
If there is even just a lone tentacle sticking out you can feed it, and the rest will follow. Don't give up on the tupperware method, it will work eventually.
If there is even just a lone tentacle sticking out you can feed it, and the rest will follow. Don't give up on the tupperware method, it will work eventually.
rostato
Active member
What I ment was instead of just being completly retracted into the skeleton, the body pulled out a little bit, and I can finally see a mouth. I have a feeling it will open when I the lights come on today. I have yet to see any tentacles, but it's MUCH better in this spot rather than the other.
If it doesnt open again, I will just do the tupperware method again today. I am not lettign this thing die!
If it doesnt open again, I will just do the tupperware method again today. I am not lettign this thing die!
stunreefer
Reef Hugger
Ah, gotcha.
The mouths are sticky as well, so you could try to (gently) shoot a Mysis shrimp in it's direction.
The mouths are sticky as well, so you could try to (gently) shoot a Mysis shrimp in it's direction.
rostato
Active member
Ok, I am writing a paper now, and will as soon as I am done. BTW, thanks a million for the help.
rostato
Active member
Well, I got them to eat in my acclimation container today! After an hour of sitting on top of my tank with a cube of brine shrimp they looked a little enticed. Then I added some zoo plex, and flakes to make the water smell a little more. Then they started to open a little bit. Finally added a frozen food with a mixture of mysis, brine, cyclops, and others that they ate for me. now hopefully I don't have to do this everytime I feed!
All in all they were in that container 2 hours and 20 min...LOOOONG time
All in all they were in that container 2 hours and 20 min...LOOOONG time
xsiborg
New member
Just be patient and they should open more in no time.
From my own experience, the branching types of dendrophyllia (smaller heads, longer stalks) are a bit more "shy" than the short stalked/large head types. I had mine do the same thing when I first got them and they would only extend when feeding and then close up again when there is no more smell of food. But after some time of just feeding them regularly at the same time each day, they pretty much open by themselves even w/o food and eventually almost all day.
Also, from what I have seen on mine, the growth pattern (forming of new heads/babies) on this type is similar to a black tubastrea. The new heads can grow out facing in all directions. Right now, it should not be a problem for you since you still have it attached to a plug. But once it becomes settled and you don't have to take it out for feeding anymore, make sure you affix it in an area of the tank where you have enough space to "maneuver" while feeding all the heads. I have the main stalk on mine facing upwards so I can feed all of the heads all around and hopefully any new ones which will grow.
From my own experience, the branching types of dendrophyllia (smaller heads, longer stalks) are a bit more "shy" than the short stalked/large head types. I had mine do the same thing when I first got them and they would only extend when feeding and then close up again when there is no more smell of food. But after some time of just feeding them regularly at the same time each day, they pretty much open by themselves even w/o food and eventually almost all day.
Also, from what I have seen on mine, the growth pattern (forming of new heads/babies) on this type is similar to a black tubastrea. The new heads can grow out facing in all directions. Right now, it should not be a problem for you since you still have it attached to a plug. But once it becomes settled and you don't have to take it out for feeding anymore, make sure you affix it in an area of the tank where you have enough space to "maneuver" while feeding all the heads. I have the main stalk on mine facing upwards so I can feed all of the heads all around and hopefully any new ones which will grow.
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taichimaster
New member
I guess there might be one than one type of dendro. the ones I got are like an inch in size. those look pretty small. almost like sun corals.
blasto_master
New member
Thats a nice looking dendro. (the more you feed it the happier it will become) I feed mine twice a week
stunreefer
Reef Hugger
Great news that they've opened :thumbsup:
I would recommend feeding them heavily everyday for a while (couple weeks). This will speed up the time it takes for them to start opening on their own all the time.
Once they've settled in more I reduce feedings to a couple times a week, however keep in mind the more you feed, the faster they grow!
I would recommend feeding them heavily everyday for a while (couple weeks). This will speed up the time it takes for them to start opening on their own all the time.
Once they've settled in more I reduce feedings to a couple times a week, however keep in mind the more you feed, the faster they grow!
rostato
Active member
They only problem with that is I am leaving for 5 days this weekend. I guess I can feed till then and give them a break...
