Zoanthids extending

[MrChico]

I have about 10-15 different types of zoa in my tank and when bought they are very short and small in diameter. however all of my zoanthids reach out towards the light abought an inch, more or less. and they do get wider in diameter, I have decent growth and they all open everyday.

I have 250 Mh on one side of the tank and a 260w PC and 108w t5 on the other side and that does not seem to make a difference.

So the question is what causes some zoas to reach out in one tank and in other tanks a nice flat mat on the rock they are growing on?

all other corals are doing great... bubble, torch, bta, xenia, trumpet, ect.

 

[juice454]

I have 1 zoa on some recently purchased live rock in my new tank. I have noticed the same exact behavior. However, it seems to only extend at night or low-light conditions, and while the tank light is on it stays flat on the rock.

 

[Pazazz]

They may be reaching for light... See if you can move them up closer a few inches and recheck them in a few days....

 

[Jayreefer]

They could be extinding do they can grow larger polyps.

 

[jasonj90]

how old are the bulbs? my polyps extended a bit, and since i replaced the bulbs, they are retracting back to normal.

 

[IZZY'SREEF]

They are reaching for light. Stalks extending? Larger polyps? This is most likely an indication of wanting more light. Move them closer to the light.

 

[MrChico]

these are the same Zoas only 6 months later

 

[smp]

I have the exact same problem!!!
Not only that but my zoos skirts get really long too and it drives me crazy because I like them to look flat on the rock with short skirts!

My 29 gallon is lit with a 175 watt halide, 14k coralvue bulb.

 

[kass03]

when mine do that they want more light.
I just had some palys that were being shaded by my nepthea and extending like that.
I moved the nepthea and the next day they were laying flatter already.

SMP thats funny about the skirts cuz mine stay small and nubby and I was just thinking tonight I wish those skirts would get longer. I guess the grass is always greener.
I don't like them when they're real long but mine are nubs.
They are like that in all my tanks and I have different lighting and water pars, flow etc. in each tank.

kass