Sterile Zoas?

[JeffReef]

Hi Folks,

I purchased a green polyp rock some 6 years ago that had 2 polyps of Zoanthids. These 2 polyps are about 2 inches apart and are doing very well.

Now, my question is- How come these 2 polyps never multiplied in the 6 years that I have had them? Everything in my tank had grown except for these two. Has anyone here have the same experience?

 

[coralfarm123]

Welcome to ReefCentral!!

Wow, 6 yrs is a very long time not to reproduce. They may just be extremely happy. I have a couple palyt type zoanthids that have been in my tank for over a year and half that have not multiplied, but all my others go crazy. Do you have a picture of them?

 

[fantastic4]

Can you update with pictures?

 

[JeffReef]

Hi Folks,
Here is the photo of the 2 polyps- at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions.

Sorry for the poor quality- no macro lens at this time.

Thanks!

 

[coralfarm123]

Those are Protopalythoa aka Button Polyps or Moon Polyps. The lashed seem to be a bit retracted but look fine overall. I am very surprised those have not reproduced for you. Most of the time those things grow like weeds, but sometimes you get those few zoanthids or other corals that just don't seem to spread. I don't think anyone really knows the exact reason. You might try moving them to another location in the tank. Also, you can feed that type of polyp very small bits of food which may help too.

 

[mbunaman]

Most of the polyps of those species require sediment or sand to reproduce. Many of them use those byproducts to build their tissue. Maybe your tank has good flow and no sediment is captured. If they are near sand you might have good luck of them spreading.

 

[Pazazz]

You have to turn down the lights and play soft romantic music for them... LOL

 

[JeffReef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8323566#post8323566 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Pazazz
You have to turn down the lights and play soft romantic music for them... LOL

LOL... I don't know about this but my wife surely likes the idea.


Anyway, thanks for the tips and replies!

I'll move it to a different location and try feeding to see if that will work.

-Jeff

 

[jessiesgrrl]

Hmm, when romantic lights and soft music don't work, try Metallica and Viagra...


Laurie

 

[clsanchez77]

no no, I saw this on south park with a pig and an elephant, you need a keg of beer and Elton John.

Serisuly, if I can derail this thread, where did you get thos polyps. I am going to be adding some paly's to my aquarium soon and those look awesome. I am goingt o buy these

Now to get back on topic, I have read that the paly's do required substrate for there base and from what I remember, this is what sets them apart from zoanthus sp.

Chris

 

[clsanchez77]

Just found this on an archive thread:

The easiest way to seperate these two genera (with Protopalythoa being included in Palythoa) is simple. Palythoa are in the family Sphenopidae, which take up sand and other small particles to help build their structure. Polyp, colony, coenenchyme (the "mat" tissue) and oral disk shape, as well as color, all are very flexible even within not only genera but also within species. Note that Epizoanthus and Parazoanthus also are encrusting (take up sand).

Found it here: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=626249

Chris