Zoo color crosses?

[smontanus]

Not to show my biology ignorance too much here...but does anyone know if its possible to cross zoo colors thru manipulation during proping or some other technique. I've actually tried searching this quite a bit so I figure its not possible, or only thru sexual reproduction...so not really possible in captive colonies. I have heard of grafting other types of corals...anyone?

 

[MUCHO REEF]

I have often thought about that myself. I think a Marine Biologist or the like would be the best person to ask that question. Hopefully we have one here on RC. If you find out, I ( we ) would love to hear the answer.

Mucho Reef

 

[smontanus]

Yeah...a marine biologist could clear this up. I was thinking something might be possible at some initial point during budding, like before the polyp forms. Probably way outta my equipment or abilities. If I ever find a concrete answer to this I'll post it. Just FYI if nothing else.

 

[Reef Junkie]

It is possble for zoas to change color over time in our reef tanks.

Other then that, it would be like standing next to someone that had blue eyes and expecting your eyes to turn blue. Yet, if you married that person and bought a house, got comfortable and had a family. It's possible that your offspring would have Blue eyes.

We would need to speak to a biologist like J Reimer that studies zoanthid behavior. Sexual reproduction would seem like the only real way for that to happen.

 

[smontanus]

Right...I guess I was thinking more like genetic engineering. Not that I could do it, but what if an aquaculture facility decided they wanted to engineer a specific color combination. They've done it with fw Zebra fish. I dont really like the idea, but I am really curious. What about propagating for a specific trait? I know a colony is clones but subtle changes (mutations?) do seem to occur sometimes.

 

[ficklefins]

I don't know if you can permanently change the color of a zoa, but I have seen zoas change color from one day to another for reasons outside of light.

Example: When a zoanthid consumes part of it's skirt the mouth changes color to that of the skirt. In my experience it also stays this way for at least a few weeks. So if it is possible to find out what chemical makes up the color in those skirts (zooxanthellae?) you may be able to feed that to the zoa with their food, injection, or perhaps in a saturated bath.

Zoas whose mouths changed color after consuming their skirts:
http://www.zoaid.com/index.php?module=Gallery2&g2_itemId=1022
http://www.zoaid.com/index.php?module=Gallery2&g2_itemId=1928

 

[Accepted Eclectic]

Are'nt Zoa's A-Sexual?
D