green star polyp

I have a green star polyp that has done great for sometime now. It was one of the first corals I bought. However, lately it hasn't been opening up around the bottom of the coral. The coral looks good as a whole, but the bottom isn't coming out anymore. All of my levels are fine and the other corals seem to being doing well. Also, I don't think the problem is the bottom not getting light because I haven't moved it and it has been fine til now. Ideas?

Meklo

 

do u does any kind of invert food? maybe their starving. it happened to a friend of mine.

 

well i was using kent micro-vert. but stopped when my nitrates started to rise. I probably haven't used them 3 weeks. But when I did use I never got the impression that the star polyp was eatting it. My other corals seem to look fine.

Meklo

 

They are more a symbiotic coral relying on light rather than plankton. In regards to the polyps not opening up as much, try using a turkey baster or something comparable, and dust the polyps off as they don't like detritus on them and try to increase the water movement around them. It should help!

 

Can anyone suggest some resources (web or print) to check out on basic polyp biology?

 

It is also possible that your lights are not as powerful as they once were.
When was the last time you changed the bulbs?

 

I'm thinking you were over-dosing. Micro-vert is very rich in microscopic food, it can rise your nitrates and phosphates if you use too much.

There is no way of telling by the naked eye if they are eating. Food is too small and dissolved and disappears into the water. I dont think that is your problem.

Could be a possibility that they are not getting sufficient light. But I have some that still come out eventhough they are getting very little light. Does the light hit the area where they are not coming out? Chances are something spooked them. GSP's tend to do that and will take their time to come back out again. Give them some time. How long has it been btw?