question for jreimer & zoaheads

[Azurel]

I have these palys that take up sand into their stolen and around the polyp head. I have a 5 polyp frag of these about month and half ago, now I have 4 new polyps growing but the new polyps have much less white specks in the tissue then the parent polyps. So would I be correct in assuming that it is because there is less sand around the polyps for them to take up into the tissue? Does this hurt them in anyway? Such as make them weak, more likely to get injured? So should I take some Southdown and sprinkle it around the base of the colony? This would increase the sand around the polyps, and there for increase the chances the they can continue the up take of sand into the tissue. If you want a picture of the frag let me know I can post a pic of them. This sand gives the parent colony a white specked appearance where the new ones it isn't as noticeable.....Let me know what you guy's/gals think.....
Thanks,
James

 

[Azurel]

Come on I know some of you can help me with this.....It's not that deep a question!

 

[jreimer]

sand etc.

sand etc.

Hi Azurel,

Hmmm...send me a pic just in case (zoanthid@hotmail.com), but I would say they will be fine. As long as your tank has some flow, there will be little bits of sand and other detritus in the water column. I am not an expert on this, but have read some scientific papers that describe the sand Palythoa take up - and they seem to select for pretty specific sizes, and are able to get more than they need. If the polyps are open and happy, then all should be fine - I wouldn't worry too much! I have never seen a Palythoa lacking in sand (in nature) - makes trying to make sections of these things impossible!

Does this help?

j

 

[Azurel]

Hello J,

Thanks for answering the question....Yea it helps some what as I have never had a coral such as this and the original owner really didn't know anything about this. So it was a question I though prudent to ask for future information....I sent an e-mail with pics of the parent colony. The new polyps are not easy to get a picture of as the are very small about the size of a pencil eraser.