What is this coming out oftorch?!?

[Middie93]

I'm a newbie so any help is appreciated. One of the heads on my torch retracted and this stringy red stuff is comingnout. What is this? Thanks in advance.

 

[AlSimmons]

It's probably just poop. They'll do this from time to time. Sometimes when a coral is receiving too much light you'll see them expel zooxanthellae like that as well.

 

[Middie93]

Thanks! How do I tell the difference btwn poop or zooxanthellae? It did this once before, but the stringy stuff was black.

 

[AlSimmons]

Well it's basically the same thing, but the frequency in which this happens could indicate whether the coral is happy or not. As long as the coral looks good you probably don't have anything to worry about. If you start to see the colors fade, maybe it's not opening up as much etc, you might have to move the coral to a shadier spot.

 

[Molter]

My torch coral let's out some, or poop, on a daily basis, but as off yet it's not any color.
Just keep an eye on it.

 

[Ebone]

pooping!

 

[Middie93]

Thanks. It opened up again after it was done doing its business.

 

[themagicman]

My torch coral let's out some, or poop, on a daily basis, but as off yet it's not any color.
Just keep an eye on it.

How often are you feeding it?

 

[Middie93]

Mystics or hikari coralific delight every 3-4 days. I've had it for ~ 3 wks.

 

[Middie93]

Mysis, not mystics.

 

[AlSimmons]

If you've got the light's & the parameters are cool that coral really doesn't need to be fed IME. Once a month should suffice. (if that) Don't "force" feed it... Don't get me wrong it's cool to see it happen, but it might not be necessary. (yacking)