Strange Polyp Extension

[stscream4187]

So I added this stylophora 2 months ago, I didn't think it was doing well at first but it is starting to grow little buds and encrust. I have never seen any polyp extension in the day time. When I go to feed my LPS at night however, I always notice that this guy has full PE. Does anyone have any insight as to why or what I should be doing differently? Or if this has any negative impact on the coral?

Magnesium is at 1400.
Alkalinity is at 9dkh
Calcium is at 450
Salinity is 1.025
Temp stays between 76-78

I have 2 jebao wp40s for flow and I have Chinese LEDs.

Tank has been cycled since July and everything in there seems happy and growing. And that includes this stylophora which still has a vibrant green color but no PE during the day.

Thanks for looking. Any insight is appreciated.

 

[Art13]

Correct me if i'm wrong but I think thats normal behavior for them in the wild, and as they adjust to the home aquarium and if you feed during the day, eventually they will also learn to extend at that time. Something i remember reading.

 

[Ratpack]

Polyp extension has always been a mystery to me. It seems everyone gets a lot of extension during the lights on period, but mine are like yours, they come out more at night. I do reduce my flow greatly when the lights go out, so that may be the reason. So if anyone has any thoughts, I would be interested as well.

 

[gatohoser]

I've been out of the game for a good while but I seem to remember from school that polyp extension happens at night for one huge reason: predation is less likely at night by nipping fish etc so it is safer to only extend at night. Just what I recall. Why others achieve this in their tanks during the day I can't comment on.

 

[Art13]

Now that you mention that, i think another guy commented it might come down to the livestock kept in the tank and if they've decided to peck at them during the day or not. I'm guessing in some tanks if they are never pecked at, they are more inclined to come out during the day.

 

[stscream4187]

Hmmm interesting. I haven't noticed anyone nipping at anything when I am around, I will pay closer attention to that. I would think if one of the fish had an interest in this one, they would in others as well. But that's not the case. I never feed my corals during the day either. I will try that every once in a while to entice it as well.