Zoos??? with 3-4 inch stalks??

[Azurel]

I have some that are 1"/ 1 1/2'' stalks and I can guarantee you I don't have low lights. That usually is the sign though of not having enough light for the coral inquestion. They look kinda weird like that....Try moving them higher up to see if they do that....If they do that afterwards then I guess that what they do....

 

[Reefer421]

These are at tht middle level of the tank and the top of them can only be moved up maybe 6 inches before they will be out of the water during water changes and I don't want to do that.

I really appreciate your help and you taking the time to answer my questions.

 

[Reefer421]

You are correct about the light bulbs and they are only about 4-5 months old.

 

[surfnvb7]

thats really odd, i guess, like azurel said, they are just weird like that :lol:

maybe jreimer (the zoa scientist) can chime in here, and notice if they are a totally different species or something

 

[Reefer421]

W/in the next year, I am hoping to upgrade the lighting anyways.

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that they also catch mysis out of the water column then close to eat it.

 

[jreimer]

chiming in

chiming in

Polyp shape - what influences it?

This is a question I would love to have the complete answer to - but for now, as you all have been saying, often polyps of both Palythoa spp. and Zoanthus spp. seem to "reach" for light.

Just a couple notes:

1. "Reaching" for light may not indicate your light levels are too low. Polyps may just grow as trees do - to out compete one another. Long polyps do not always mean unhealthy colonies - but sometimes they do! (How's that for a safe comment!!!).
2. Also water flow and wave action can influence colony shape - you should check out some comments on "ecotypes" in Veron's Corals of the World book (back of Vol. 3) - great reading.
3. I think there are some genetic influences too - some colonies seem more predetermined to have long polyps - perhaps even within species.
4. I'll have a paper on this coming out soon - more sleeping medicine for you all.

But yeah, this topic would also make a great lab experiment - I hope to get on it soon enough.

j.

 

[Reefer421]

I wish there was a way for me to get you some to study. I think it would be interesting to hear your results. What signs should I watch for that they are not happy? I am afraid to move them because they have been in the same spot and doing good since I got them. They are growing, multiplying, eating as normal right now and I don't want to change anything if they are happy.

 

[Azurel]

If they are not showing any outward signs of problems I wouldn't move them....No reason to P' them off if you don't have to......

 

[mr pink floyd]

i have some with 2 inch stalks about 16 inches under my 150 DE MH

they aseem good and are growing...