Zoanthids go Dormant?

[Waggs]

I have a crazy question. Is it normal for Zoas to go dormant? The reason I am asking is that while I was recovering for my health issues sometimes the rocks high up in the tank would go dry for weeks. Now that I'm get the system back up and running some of the polyps that should be dead and some were as dry as the rocks they were sitting on, seem to be coming back. I am watching these things really close but from what little I can tell right now, it appears they are going to start opening up again.

 

[MUCHO REEF]

I have a crazy question. Is it normal for Zoas to go dormant? The reason I am asking is that while I was recovering for my health issues sometimes the rocks high up in the tank would go dry for weeks. Now that I'm get the system back up and running some of the polyps that should be dead and some were as dry as the rocks they were sitting on, seem to be coming back. I am watching these things really close but from what little I can tell right now, it appears they are going to start opening up again.

Hello, your question is kind of ambiguous. Dormancy and going dry, ( if you mean being exposed to air and going dry ), are two different things. Not trying to be difficult, just looking for clarity. Are you saying while you were ill, ( sorry to hear about your health issues BTW ), the water level dropped and the polyps were exposed and they seemed dehydrated? Then once you got your system going again, those polyps began to expand, right?

Zoanthids, like mushrooms, take up water and will plump up. Conversely, this is why you can squeeze them like mushrooms and they will squirt water.

If you're wondering if/can/will they survive outside of your tank and exposed to air, yes, they can. In the wild and in shallow waters during low tide, often they are exposed to the sun for hours at a time. I have even made the mistake of leaving a few polyps out overnight only to place them back in my tank and they were just fine.

More dramatic accounts can be viewed in this link below. I have no reason not to believe this reefers. Please read it and try not to drop your jaw as I did. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1618267

I hope this helps. Take care of yourself my friend.

Mucho Reef


PS. Here's a good discussion you might want to follow as well.:thumbsup:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1398902

 

[Waggs]

Well, let's just say, for over a month this rock was high and dry. No water even near it. I just read that and it's about just what I have. So I'm not crazy and it seems they can endure long periods of time out and away from water. So, they must go dormant in order to survive the dry spell. It took mine about a week to start looking like they might be something.

Thanks.

 

[MUCHO REEF]

You're welcome.

BTW, I forgot to add the second link, just did a few seconds ago.

 

[Waggs]

I forget things too so no big deal, but I have an excuse. LOL Thanks

 

[MUCHO REEF]

Well, let's just say, for over a month this rock was high and dry. No water even near it. I just read that and it's about just what I have. So I'm not crazy and it seems they can endure long periods of time out and away from water. So, they must go dormant in order to survive the dry spell. It took mine about a week to start looking like they might be something.

Thanks.

Did you by chance take any before and after pictures?

Have another question. You said no water was near the polyps, correct? I'm sure the polyps were on rockwork, so if the water was being absorbed by the rock, even though the polyps were above the water line, those polyps didn't fully dehydrate, for the lack of a better word, right?

Either way, would love to know how they are progressing as time passes so check back in with an update from time to time if you can. Thanks man.

Mucho Reef

 

[Waggs]

Mucho - I forgot to take photos of the DT after I had it set up but I did take photos of the corals and fish I was collecting to put into the tank and then did get there and lost, if you want to see that. I just noticed that the rock that has most of these coming back is up side down and I am about to change that. I need to re-scape the tank due to the new overflow system I'm installing.

I hate aquascaping as it seems that I try to please my eye and not the needs of the corals. I know I want lots of swimming space for the fish as well. I guess I'll start out by moving the rock around so I can do the plumbing first and then build form there. I have a lot of rock that I never used and may add some of that as well. I also want to hide the new plumbing as well. I know I'll be painting the to kind of match the background glass paint. I'll let that paint dry out in the heat for a couple of days before installing it.

Maybe this would be a good thread just to place my progress and whatever I do to the the tank. Additions and conditions.

 

[MUCHO REEF]

No problem

Aquascaping is what I enjoy the most. Taking a vision or a thought from a book or the net and creating or recreating that vision by building a reef by hand. You just have to take your time my friend, you can do it.

Sure, progression shots would be great. It helps and inspires old and new reefers alike in my opinion.

Good luck.


Mucho Reef