zoa morph

[dviper150]

I have watermelon zoas growing in a couple of areas in my tank and one of the areas I noticed a watermelon zoa growing with different colors. what do you guys think? Instead of the bluish center, this polyp has a neon green center with the same color around it and the skirts as a normal water melon zoa.

Second picture is with flash, first picture is without.

 

[MUCHO REEF]

It's common, I've seen it dozens of times. Nothing to worry about.


Mucho Reef

 

[dviper150]

ok thanks. Why does it happen though?

 

[XSharkboyX]

Just like anything else, you are going to get variations when breeding polyps.

 

[dviper150]

Gotcha. I might try fragging that one polyp out and see how it divides.

 

[gemini aquarius(t)]

I have the exact same thing happening on mine, I posted them somewhere in here. They keep multiplying like that too

 

[Mr. Microscope]

It happens when a polyp is closed for a long time. It will eventually return to normal when it grows out. Enjoy them for the time being.

 

[XSharkboyX]

Gotcha. I might try fragging that one polyp out and see how it divides.

Why? Why not just leave it alone and see what it does in time? U already have a frag... Why frag a frag? If you attempt to cut the one polyp from the rest, your most likely going to lose it.

 

[dviper150]

Wasn't going to do it now. Its growing onto another small rock so I am going to wait and let it spread some more.

 

[gemini aquarius(t)]

It happens when a polyp is closed for a long time. It will eventually return to normal when it grows out. Enjoy them for the time being.

Mine has been like that, and growing in the morph for at least 2-3 weeks. Still staying that color

 

[dviper150]

^^^ Mine wasn't closed at all. Just spreading normally and its been like this for a few weeks too.

 

[XSharkboyX]

It happens when a polyp is closed for a long time. It will eventually return to normal when it grows out. Enjoy them for the time being.

Not sure where you got this information, but it is not accurate.

 

[on3ofak1nd]

I also have some eagle eye or watermelon polyps (whichever you call them) and they are displaying similar "morphs". I found this post while searching for info on morphs... So from what you guys are saying you believe there is a chance the polyp will propagate with the same/similar color variations or will the "offspring" still be "normal" by majority?

Would there be any reason that isolating the morph like dviper150 has suggested he may try would promote it to propagate the color variation?

 

[XSharkboyX]

So from what you guys are saying you believe there is a chance the polyp will propagate with the same/similar color variations or will the "offspring" still be "normal" by majority?

Depends on alot of variables. There is a chance only that one polyp will be different, while there is a chance that it may reproduce with the same coloration.

Would there be any reason that isolating the morph like dviper150 has suggested he may try would promote it to propagate the color variation?

No

 

[MUCHO REEF]

I also have some eagle eye or watermelon polyps (whichever you call them) and they are displaying similar "morphs". I found this post while searching for info on morphs... So from what you guys are saying you believe there is a chance the polyp will propagate with the same/similar color variations or will the "offspring" still be "normal" by majority?

Would there be any reason that isolating the morph like dviper150 has suggested he may try would promote it to propagate the color variation?

Yes, it will and can do so. I have seen it go both ways. I have had solitary polyps do this and I have seen others with the same variant with a single polyp which generated and entire colony just the same over time.

I wouldn't, there is no need to isolate it. One of the biggest mistakes made in reefing today is the persistent touching/shifting/moving/relocating of polyps. It will only slow, stunt or stop any growth you currently have, so why risk it. In the wild, polyps are not picked up and move from here to there, so I'm suggesting you don't. It is your tank of course and I am not telling you what to do, I'm merely suggesting.

Good luck man and please do keep us posted.

Mucho Reef

 

[Ride928]

This is pretty common with whammin watermelons and eagle eyes. They call this particular morph "kaleidoscope"