does this happen to your coral often?

I went to bed last night, coral looked as it always did... completely normal

I check out my tank today and one small patch of zoas that i have morphed from a dull bland sky blue to a vibrant deeper blue with a metalic green sheen to them!

The only change recently has been the addition of a green birdsnest (Seriatopora Guttatus). I am assuming that some of the zooxanthellae from that decided to be hosted by the zoas. Just wanted to share because its pretttty cool to see this morph happen!

 

This sounds really intriguing and has now brought to my attention that I was not aware of one coral hosting another? Or that they cause each other to change colors?

So, if those of you with a good understanding of this could elaborate a bit more, i would be grateful.

(have you got a pic of the happy corals?)

 

months ago i did a lot of research on this: http://www.3reef.com/forums/coral/how-color-up-your-corals-71882.html

but to save you the hours upon hours of reading lol the algae is constantly free swimming and also "hosted" by the coral. When hosted by the coral it only lives there because the coral supports it by supplying elements, shelter, carbon dioxide, and can regulate light.

depending on the lighting, the coral will attract different colors of zooxanthellae. the different colors that are reflected will dictate which wavelengths are absorbed for photosynthesis... Corals always adapt to host the most efficient "color" of zooxanthellae based on the light

 

I didn't realize corals could morph like that so quickly, I though it was a genetic mutation. Do you have some before and after pics?

 

sorry guitarman... it was this crappy dull grey color so i never really had a reason to take a before :/

but heres an after. the picture isnt capturing the green sheen on them now but they def went from boring to semi-cool.

 

i like them!

 

My armor of god zoas (an orangeish zoa) sometimes turn green for a few days and then back to the normal orange color. Only one or two heads will do it at a time.

They are all orange right now, I will dig through my pics see if I can find some examples.

 

probably a combo of good water quality and continued use of actinic lighting

 

very nice....