Odd Monti Occurance

[layer3switchguy]

Hey guys,

I purchased an aqua-cultured plating Monti about a 8 weeks ago. When I purchased it, it was a very vibrant shade of purple. Over time in my tank, it has certainly grown, but become much more red/brown in color. Today I was feeding the tank and in the process blew some water onto the Monti with a turkey baster. It immediately turned back to the original color it had when first purchased. I found that odd, but even more so was that over the course of a few minutes the color darkened slightly again. Now is about 60% original color and 40% a darker red/brown.

Any idea what's causing this? It certainly is growing,with constant polyp extension, and the flow seems good....

Please advise.

Thanks!
L3

 

[tatoofr]

A re you sure it wasn't covered with red slime?

 

[emoutz]

Are the polyps extending (polyps being brown) and causing an apparent change in color (the underlying skin being purple)?

 

[layer3switchguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9662532#post9662532 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by emoutz
Are the polyps extending (polyps being brown) and causing an apparent change in color (the underlying skin being purple)?

Hi, yes I think this best describes it. The underlying skin is purple. I'm pretty sure it's not red slime, as when I shot water at it, it mearly changed color, but no debris or such came off the coral.

Any ideas???

 

[dvanacker]

I've seen digitata that have huge polyp extension that could do this sort of thing but never a cap or plating version with polyps big enough.

 

[chinaman4u]

"Chameleon Montipora" $499.00 per frag?

 

[layer3switchguy]

So guys,

Do you think this is a lighting issue or flow issue? Two much, to little???

Thanks,
L3

 

[wentreefgirl]

No issue. Its a good thing to have healthy polyp extension. Why would you change that. Its not going to be bright while polyps are out but you know what color it is under all that hair. Enjoy it.

 

[GTR]

Just remember when you start selling frags of it to be sure and knock down the PE before you take the picture.

SteveU

 

[layer3switchguy]

Ok, so I'm still confused. The Monti looks like this 7x24. Is it typical for PE to be constant? What causes the color change when I blast it with water?

 

[jski711]

a pic would be great!!!!!

 

[JellyTheory]

The color changes because when you blow on the coral with a turkey baster the polyps retract, showing the purple colored skeleton.

So, unless you're constantly blowing on it, cut all the wee little polyps off that are sticking out, or try moving the coral closer or further away from your lights (to see if you can get the polyps to change to a different color), you're stuck looking at a purple coral covered by brown polyps.

-Chris

 

[layer3switchguy]

Ok thanks folks... I may try lowering the Monti in the tank to see what happens... I miss the vibrant purple, but would rather the coral be healthy.

I suspect the Ultralith System is causing the constant PE along with the light....

 

[wentreefgirl]

Thats a great ultralith commercial slogan.