White strands from SPS tips?

[Silfer]

Hi,

I'm curious why some of my SPS have white strands coming out from the tips (where new growth is, ie not coming out the actual polyps).

The corals that are doing this are healthy, polyps extend 24/7.

This pic is not mine, but shows what I mean:

Cheers

 

[nvdiz]

i believe it is a stress response, a defensive mechanism.

 

[reefyourself]

Very strange been happening to me to for about a month now...whenever I put my hand in tank...even after it is washed...i get those tentacles...not on all my sps only on 2.

P.S. My hands were very clean before putting them in the tank

 

[reefyourself]

If im not mistaken...its actually a defense mechanism...its actually them spewing out their guts....it those tentacles touch another coral..they are doomed...they will fry it!

 

[Bonvivant]

I don't agree. I have observed this behavior when I feed my tank something they like. They will extend those filaments and then withdraw them when done feeding. I think its a feeding response.

 

[skairik]

I don't agree. I have observed this behavior when I feed my tank something they like. They will extend those filaments and then withdraw them when done feeding. I think its a feeding response.

Agreed. If it was the SPS expelling their Zooxanthella it wouldn't be the "white stringy strands" as shown in the pic but actually a golden-brownish type strand, which would be indicative of the true color of zooxanthella. The white strands are a response to feeding.

 

[BADGUS]

I have also noticed my SPS do this for no apparent reason.

 

[lilopop11]

My SPS just like that too..i guess it's because stress, or something had stung it...Thankfully it's only a feeding response

 

[StarF]

feeding response imo.

if its stress, it look way diffrent.

 

[geoSquid]

I remember reading something about this in the Marine Depot forum. I couldn't fine the post but, from memory, there were two scenarios causing this and one was bad. In trying to find the post I read something about either a bacterial mat or this......
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rs/index.php
I'll keep searching but I know this was answered on that forum.

 

[geoSquid]

Found it......
http://forum.marinedepot.com/Topic112758-11-1.aspx?Highlight=string

 

[skairik]

Thanks for the links to those articles, geoSquid. I actually have two of those vermetid "worm snails" in my own tank but the pic Silfer posted is definitely not one. I know it's also not snails silk I'm seeing in my tank, too, but rather SPS mucus.

 

[bogg]

iirc there messenterial (sp?) filaments there dual purpose for feeding and defense.

 

[NeverlosT]

I agree with the dual purpose tentacles. I get that response from my Roscoe's when I either A. Put a lot of grub in the tank, or B. Tick it off.

Either way, a few hours afterward the coral is back to happy as a clam with full color and PE.