ORA Blue Tort-strange polyp extension

[masterswimmer]

I'm not even sure if this is polyp extension. First of all, it has been in the tank for almost two years now. I did not have my hands in the tank at all before the pic was taken. It is not slime. This has been happening for the past few days when I feed. Can it possibly suddenly be very long polyps? It almost looks like the polyps on a Millepora.

What do y'all think?

The colony:

Small torts:

Closeup:

TIA,
swimmer

 

[ShaunW]

It's feeding, extuding (sp?) it guts to capture and digest prey! It is a typical feeding response of a larger SPS colony like you have.

When SPS are small they don't have the metabolic needs, nor do they have the prey capturing ability of larger SPS colonies. Your witnessing typical behavior and a sign that you may have to feed more.

 

[masterswimmer]

Thank you Shaun. I'm assuming the feeding of cyclopeeze, DT's Oyster eggs and the standard frozen fare is adequate? I don't imagine it can ingest mysis or daphnia or frozen bbs can it?

swimmer

 

[Tonyscoots84]

yea as shaun said... it came out of my green acro once before... hasnt done it since...

 

[ShaunW]

Thank you Shaun. I'm assuming the feeding of cyclopeeze, DT's Oyster eggs and the standard frozen fare is adequate? I don't imagine it can ingest mysis or daphnia or frozen bbs can it?

swimmer

Anything small enough to be captured by the filaments. Cyclopeeze, pytoplankton, and the DT's oyster egges are all good. Mysis is too big, daphnia may be OK. In my tank I try to feed also at night when all the polyps are extended and most corals are in "hunting" mode.

HTH, Russ, and BTW congratulations on having a tank so well developed that you actually see this response.

 

[Tonyscoots84]

shaun on the same topic if the filaments dont come out thats that mean there getting there food that they need...

 

[ShaunW]

shaun on the same topic if they filaments dont come out thats that mean there getting there food that they need...

Maybe, but not nessesarily. A big unhealthy colony won't have an active feeding response. So it all depends on the size of the colony and it's health. In contrast a smaller colony which is healthy may not need an active feeding regiment due to it's obtaining all its needs through photosynthesis.

What Russ is witnessing is healthy behavior.

 

[Tonyscoots84]

thats awesome.. thanks for the info shaun..... and great job russ.... u are the master....

 

[reefman]

they may be sweepers

 

[lfsmarineguy]

reefman is right. That picture looks like that montipora is right on top of your Tort. Even if a small area is in contact the entire colony may send out sweepers to attack it. If it is an all of the sudden constant occurrence I would go with the sweeper angle. Try seperating them a little or looking for potential problem areas. Never assume the easiest answer is the right one until you have ruled everything out in this hobby.

 

[ShaunW]

reefman is right. That picture looks like that montipora is right on top of your Tort. Even if a small area is in contact the entire colony may send out sweepers to attack it. If it is an all of the sudden constant occurrence I would go with the sweeper angle. Try seperating them a little or looking for potential problem areas. Never assume the easiest answer is the right one until you have ruled everything out in this hobby.

This is another possibility also, .

However, Russ says it happens when he feeds.

 

[jhale]

pictures can be very deceiving when judging the distance between corals.

Master Russ how close are they really?

 

[masterswimmer]

They are very close. But like I mentioned, the ONLY time I've seen them fully extend like that is when I feed the tank. It started about a week ago and so far is exclusively when feeding.

I would have to frag that Monti aggressively to give the space needed. Those two colonies started from small 2"-3" frags and were very nicely separated. I anticipated growth, but not this much this fast.

All this info has been great. Thanks everyone.

Russ

 

[prattreef]

I doubt it is aggression as the Monti would show the ill effects very quickly. I agree with Shaun-- it is a feeding response. Randy

 

[masterswimmer]

Shaun, Randy, thanks for letting me take a sigh of relief. Fragging that Monti suddenly became a daunting task I didn't want to undertake.

Everyone, good feedback. Once again, another day, another learning experience in this hobby. Thanks

swimmer

 

[prattreef]

But when they actually touch..... RD

 

[masterswimmer]

But when they actually touch..... RD

They already do in some places. The tort ALWAYS wins. They touch in places I cannot possibly get to without 'thinning the herd' way too much. It only amounts to a very tiny bleached spot where they actually do touch.

Thanks Randy,
swimmer

 

[prattreef]

Seems like they can coexist then. I love it when 2 species find a way to work it out. RD

 

[masterswimmer]

Seems like they can coexist then. I love it when 2 species find a way to work it out. RD

I couldn't agree more. I think the most awesome looking displays include those differing SPS species that intertwine without serious aggression and dieoff.

R