Polyp Extension in SPS--Acropora, Montipora, Pocillopora

[dbsherwood]

Hi,

I'm getting my tank in gear for adding more SPS corals, and have noticed that while my montipora and pocillopora frags that I've added show excellent polyp extension, the acropora frags that I've added do not. My flow is ok right now, and I plan to up it soon.

What I'd appreciate input on from folks is whether the fact that your acropora don't extend their polyps means that they aren't doing well. They are keeping their bright colors, etc. but the fact that the polyps aren't out concerns me.

Thanks.

 

[Anonymous]

>... whether the fact that your acropora don't extend their polyps means that they aren't doing well...

not necessarily related. Take a look when light is off and see if the extension is better.

 

[Anonymous]

yeah, I don't know that anyone has done any studies on the matter, whether scientific or empirical, to if polyp extention means anything. Polyps are how corals get food, they use that food to grow and build their skeleton (much more so than light), so the question arises are polyps out because they're hungry and needing food? because they're hungry and always want food? or maybe they're airing out their proverbial armpits *shrug*

 

[stubbsz]

Some corals just don't extend their polyps that far. Pocillopora in my experence can get REALLY shaggy. I've got acroporas that grow like weeds that have tiny polyps others with larger polyps.... if a large polyed specimen, starts to show prolonged lesser extension then I guess I start worrying about it.

 

[SnowManSnow]

also, if the acros are fairly new (within 3 weeks) they may not have exteded all the way yet. sometimes it takes acros quite a while to settle down.

b

 

[dbsherwood]

Thanks to everyone for their comments. I have a follow-up question for you:

If Acroporas don't open their polyps at any point during the day or night, would you construe that as some sort of item of concern, even if they are keeping their coloration and look otherwise healthy?