what makes an LPS "hungry"? (Especially elegance )

[CTaylor]

I just got my elegance to (seem to) take in a piece of a silverside today. It wouldn't take anything in (mysis, formula 1, silversides, rods reef). I've fed it when it was opened up very large (for it's size), and almost no reaction to the food. I've tried that a few times.
Then it wasn't opening nearly as large (30%). It still took in no food. I lowered it in the tank and dimmed the lights. The next day it didn't eat. It is opening much better again (60%) on the third day. This is the day it took in food. Though I was able to do this in early afternoon, two or so hours after lights go on, as it is a day off of work for me. I normally can try a feeding early evening, about 2-4 hours before lights go out. All other params are the same.

Is it the time of day that makes them "hungry"? And "openness" or lack thereof is not a sign of "hunger"? When I say hunger, I mean willingness to take in food.. It may be starved of course, and just not take in food.

 

[d0lph1n]

I had mine on sand bed and it was very happy. It preferred medium-low current and medium light (20 inch of water and 12inch of air away from a 250W MH 14k light). I realize these are vague terms and it's hard to describe the exact conditions.

The are a lot of amino acids on the market that encourage polyp extension. I use the zeovit equivalent.

 

[chrisfont23]

I definitely see mine hungrier (whatever I mean by that) at dusk. My Duncans and my old wellso used to eat then. I suppose it's whatever makes them extend their tentacles that indicates a better time to eat. I think keeping them in low to medium flow is best and will definitely promote growth. I suppose that promotes hunger.

A wishy washy answer, but the best opinion I can give.

 

[Toadally]

One question I have is this, do you guys spot feed these corals...cause they don't get fed that way in the wild.

 

[chrisfont23]

One question I have is this, do you guys spot feed these corals...cause they don't get fed that way in the wild.

No. I feed the "tank" though. The only coral I target feed are my Duncans. I have about 20 of them on 3 separate heads. A while ago I started feeding one set of the heads on one stalk and did nothing with the other set of heads on a completely different stalk. The results were the same. Both grew new heads.

 

[CoralReeferGal]

All of our corals get fed after lights out. Everyone's sweeper tentacles seem to come out within minutes of lights out, so that's when we feed. We only spot feed our open brain and bubble coral, sometimes the hammer and candy canes, but otherwise, as stated above feed the tank. Everything seems to be happy and healthy, so we'll keep doing what we're doing lol.

To the OP, I would just watch for sweepers, and feed when they are out, whatever time of day that may be.

 

[Toadally]

No. I feed the "tank" though. The only coral I target feed are my Duncans. I have about 20 of them on 3 separate heads. A while ago I started feeding one set of the heads on one stalk and did nothing with the other set of heads on a completely different stalk. The results were the same. Both grew new heads.

So you're saying, no difference whether you spot feed or not....they multiply just from feeding the tank??

What do you feed the tank as a whole? I'm using Oyster Feast, Phyto and a Reef Frenzy mixture made by a local reefer and distributed to several LFS's in the area.

 

[chrisfont23]

Yes. I use cyclopeeze with some mysis and some oyster feast. Occasional phyto. The corals target fed grow. The corals I do not target feed grow as well. The little experiment on my Duncans proved this a little more too. So when I feed the tank, I usually just put this mix in front of a powerhead and let it blow around.

 

[elegance coral]

Elegance corals don't have sweeper tentacles and they're diurnal. (They feed during the day.) The largest influence on elegance coral feeding response is overall health. The healthier they are, the stronger, and faster their feeding response will be. So, generally speaking, the more you feed, the stronger they become, and the better they become at feeding.

Healthy elegance corals have a very powerful sting, grip, and feeding response. They are more than capable of capturing and eating small animals. So while there is no human "spot feeding" them in the wild, I'm sure they're getting plenty of food as if there were someone feeding them.

I've never seen elegance corals eat tiny particles like cyclops, oyster eggs, or phyto. I've seen them close up, and often shut down their nematocysts when there is an abundance of tiny particles in the water though. (maybe an adaptation to living in sandy environments??????????) Some people may mistake this behavior as a feeding response, but I've never seen them move this tiny foot to their mouths and feed.

 

[CTaylor]

Thanks for the responses,
Especially EC, I feel honored : )
I've read a lot of your posts over the years, esp in the days that no one could keep elegances, and am happy that now it seems possible. I've had mine for 2 months. The first few weeks it wouldnt eat.
It had it's ups and downs, but it's been looking fantastic for the last two weeks.

After it was looking good and started to eat, it declined again (a week after I turned up the LED's about 15%). It ate pretty good, though. I lowered it in the water column, and dialed back the LEDs back 15%. Now it looks amazing, and eats whenever I feed it (daytime). I need to take good pics to show it off. I'm seriously impressed lol . I thought it might not open much the day after it eats. But that doesnt seem the case. I'm not sure if it opens more the days following, but it doesnt seem to be less.

*Can it be fed too much?

Off subject a bit, but I remember reading (EC) that you took several MONTHS to acclimate yours to higher lighting levels (?). Do you think 5% increase every 2 weeks (LED) will be ok? I'd like to crank up the lights over time.

 

[usmc121581]

I have tried numerous times to feed my elagance, and it has not taken anything. I have had this elagance for over 3+ years and I have tried spot feeding it silversides 4 times the last 6 months, I have no ill effects on this method and it is as strong as ever and the skelton has grown roughly 3+ inches since I have had it.