Can Zoas poop?

I just looked over at my Zoas and it appeared to be letting out a dark red/purple bead. Then I saw that another one did the same.

Is this normal?

 

What you are most likely seeing is the coral exchanging one strain of zooxanthellae for another. Did you do anything to your lights recently, are they new? It's nothing to worry about really, just watch them and make sure they don't close up for days at a time or anything weird.

 

They were in my friends tank while I re built mine and he had PCs. I have 2 T5 HO bulbs, maybe that did it?

 

Quite possible, do they look healthy other than the stringy stuff?

 

Oh yeah they look huge! Way bigger than before. They were kinda not fully opening at first but now they are fully open. Here is a picture. You can see the bottom left green Zoo is spitting some out but they are all doing it. When I walked over to take the pic I saw another little bead float up.

 

They look great. I would have to say the change in lighting is probably what cause it.

Good choice with T5's, +k

 

Thank you very much!

Can you explain what exactly they are spitting out and why if you have the time? I like to learn everything I can.

 

Any(I believe, correct me if I'm wrong) coral that photosythesizes hosts a protozoa known as zooxanthellae. If the coral is not getting enough light, it can exchange the strain they have for better, higher quality one. If it's getting too much light, they can remove excess zooxanthellae if need be. At least, that is my understanding.

 

good call neighbortom.... they usually release zooanthellae when they have an over abundance, usually do to increased light, they can also 'poop' out what they eat, but in mine (mysis) usually comes back out as light tan solid chunk, not stringy and dark brown like zooanthellae....
can't believe im having a conversation about poop lol