Zoanthids only opening halfway, and tubes extended.

[FishMaster1000]

I have a small zoanthid colony that was doing wonderful and looked like a perfect mat in my 28 bowfront with nova extreme t5 lighting. Lately it looks like they are only half open and there tubes seem longer. Are there any usual things that cause this? The zoanthid lashes (for lack of better term) seem to not open completely. What do you reccomend? Thanks so much!

 

[Anjel]

Might want to check for a predator. They hide well, so look carefully. I have found that when mine were extending/reaching, they were reaching for the light, but I am unfamiliar with your lighting so I cannot say if that is it or not. My first instinct would be to look for the nudi's or sundials (or in my case a sea spider), then look at the placement in conjunction with the lighting. This is assuming you have checked the water parameters.

 

[FishMaster1000]

Hmm Sea Spider...Odd that you say that because the other day I moved one of the small colonies ~12 polyps, and something that looked like a big copepod crawled out. Upon closer inspection it looked like a spider. That could probably be it. I killed that one. Is there usually more than one? DO they only live in the zoa colony?If so I could just dip them...Please help!

 

[Anjel]

My spider didn't crawl fast like a copepod, so yours may have just been a copepod, dunno.

I had two spiders on one colony. I have heard of others having numerous and only one, so only way to tell is close inspection. This is IF you have any predators, not just spiders. I just fw dipped mine with just R/O, but many use the recipe here: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=451720

 

[FishMaster1000]

It moved extremely slow as compared to a copepod. At first I was not even sure it was alive. Maybe I'll dip them to be safe