Polyp extension

[Pslreefer]

So I see these threads started about how someone is going nuts trying to find out why their sps have no polyp extension.

From what I have been educated on through documentaries and such is that their is little to no extension during the day on an actual reef, only at night in order to feed or during war with another coral.

So with this info why does one assume something is wrong with their tank, when it's just normal coral behavior? Also, why do people try to change this behavior thinking that is looks better or is a sign of a healthy coral?

Anyone care to elaborate on this so I can try to understand it from a hobbyist viewpoint?


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[Gmerek2]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwbnsLJa_RU
Check out my fox flame at night lol yea there is a lot more at night. But if you compare my corals during the day when they are sick. To my corals during the day when they are healthy. It’s considerably more PE when they are healthy.

 

[jda]

People overthink stuff. Most see photos of corals with lots of PE and do not realize that some have been staged with the pumps off and the PE comes out more for gas exchanged.

Most of the experienced know that PE is no big deal and nobody should chase it.

 

[SRQreef3r]

Don’t worry about polyp extension

 

[djbon]

After a while, I discovered that extreme PE at midday light settings might indicate a lack of lights, and this is true for some SPS. Unless there are some foods in the water that they are feasting on.

 

[reefmutt]

90% of the time, when we see a stunning reef tank with super healthy and colorful big colonies, there is great pe as well.
Although not common during the day on a natural reef, where fish are constantly picking at the Corals, in a captive reel, Corals have more opportunity to extend even during the day.. however, even when super healthy and happy, they don’t always do it in captivity either..
Most of my Corals don’t have amazing daytime pe and honestly it bugs me but I’m not trying to alter things in an attempt to efffect the pe of the corals.
If you do have great pe and you look at the tank one day and everything is closed up, it’s probably a good idea to have a closer look but if pe is not the usual for your tank, it’s not necessarily a sign of poor health..
Corals, like most pedatorial animals, are opportunistic creatures.. I assume they’ll put out pe whenever they can but many factors (some of which we don’t seem to understand) will affect that pe..

 

[DiscusHeckel]

In the context of my tank, I worry about polyp extension. When my corals are healthy and are growing, they also extend their polyps. When they are under stress, they withdraw their polyps. When I buy a new coral frag, I do not attach it to its final position until I see good polyp extension. So, for me polyps are a sign of contentment in my tank. It is a big deal for me.

PS. You can't beat a coral with fully extended polyps: