BrownPoseidon
New member
Are some polyps more sensitive than others? Can a little too much movement of a frag ( 3 times in 6 months abouts) cause it to perish? I have a big zebra hermit that might have walked over it too much?
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- Thread starter BrownPoseidon
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A. Grandis
Active member
Yep, hermits are not good for zoas in aquariums.
Grandis.
Grandis.
Can you clarify sensitivity in reference to what exactly, light, parameter shifts, inverts etc.
If you're speaking of light, the answer is yes. Polyps are collected in various regions at various depths and captive bred in various lighting conditions. There are numerous references to this here in this forum with accounts of negative affects on these polyps as a result of improper light acclimation, none compatible lighting schemes than the previous tank they just came from and instantly moving polyps from the substrate to the upper third of a tank instead of graduated movement.
If you're speaking of parameter sensitivity, yes, it happens all the time. Again, numerous accounts here in this forum. For example, if a parameter has been allowed to shift, that alone can cause retraction in polyps. If you take a perfectly healthy and expanding frag or colony out of tank A, and place it in tank B, you could very well experience retraction for that reason alone as well.
Regarding Movement of your frag, I have to ask you, why are you moving it 3 times a month? If that is your average movement, that means you're moving every month correct? Why?
The very best way to have a successful reef tank is to simulate their natural habitate as much as possible. Polyps are not moved on a regular basis in the wild, thus, it's a very bad idea to move them in aquaria. Movement and/or persistant movement is stressful to zoas/palys. It will result in stress, delayed expansion, and if the move is vertical and without light acclimation via screening or light height adjustments, and depedning on the lighting source, they can react and expel their single cell algae which results in a negative color shift ( possible bleaching ).
Regarding your hermits, yes, they are safe with your poylps. Again, think about these polyps in the wild and hermits and hundreds of other inverts, curious fish etc, touching, snooping, crawling all over them. It is perfectly natural and will not negatively impact your polyps other than a temporary natural polyp retraction for a few seconds to a few minutes.
Zoanthids are also tempermental. They can and will retract for short and long periods of time for absolutely no reason at all. Sometimes they just don't want to expand that day or for several days. I have experienced it off on on for 20 years with my polyps. It troubles me when I see threads, ( not speaking of your thread ) but numerous others I see all of the net where a frag doesn't open for just one day, and the recommendation is to react, or should I say overeact, and the suggestion is to start dipping it.
Zoanthids also, can and will retract for periods of time while they clean themselves externally. I had a red colony once whom did this every 6 weeks or so. I never dipped it and it continued to grow like crazy. These are the topics we use to discuss here, but not anymore.
I hope this helps, good luck my friend.
MUCHO REEF
TOTM - August 2003
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BrownPoseidon
New member
Mucho Reef thank you very much for the informationi have started all my polyps at ground level now with much success. I hope to slowly raise a few colonies or let them grow up as they will. Since you seem to be educated on the subject of zoas and palys, I have an armor of god colony that was doing good until it seems some sort of sponge or mold like thing growing at the base of them started to make them not be as robust so to speak. You ever heard or seen this? Any advice?
