what makes hammer corals send out sweepers?

[gfk]

i have some branching hammers that ive had for about 11 months, and it just recently started sending out sweepers.

at first it was just 1 or 2 but now a few tentacles per head are shooting out.

anything i can do to stop this short of removing them?

 

[duec22]

I've found that they typically send more out and they are longer the stronger the current. Try putting them in a spot with less flow.

 

[moogoomoogoo]

This is actually an interesting question that raises another. I suspect corals "communicate" by chemical messengers? If this is the case, does any one know if a lone coral in a tank without live rock or any other corals still sends out sweepers? In other words does its sense there is competition and its trying to eliminate it by sending out a sweeper, or is it checking for competition?

 

[gfk]

they are in the same spot theyve been in for a long time and the flow really hasnt changed. no conditions have really changed. they better shape up or im gonna ship them out for some blastos and other lps

 

[Shawnts106]

or im gonna ship them out for some blastos and other lps

Need my adress? make sure you give them a heat pack or two!

haha

This is actually an interesting question that raises another. I suspect corals "communicate" by chemical messengers? If this is the case, does any one know if a lone coral in a tank without live rock or any other corals still sends out sweepers? In other words does its sense there is competition and its trying to eliminate it by sending out a sweeper, or is it checking for competition?

This is INDEEEEEED interesting! I would think that they sence a chemical in the water from other species of corals... and then try to elimate them... why would they expend the energy to put out sweepers if there isnt any competition?

hum... this is going to be quite an interesting thread...

oh, and to GFK, no really im serious do you need my adress? haha