How to train your Tubastrea (Sun Coral) to stay open!

[revhtree]

Via Dan Rigle: This was a three polyp fragment when first cut and it has been adding new polyps nicely. I feed primarily with PE Mysis AND AZOX. I feed these only during the lighted photo-period to encourage them to remain open during this cycle unlike their natural instinct to feed at night. Day-trained so to speak and I have found that after a few generations of this, the new polyps remain open during most of the lighted cycle as long as sufficient food particulates are available.

Ran across this today on FB by Mr. Dan Rigle and am posting with his permission.

 

[Aussie Reefer]

awesome! thanks for sharing Rev :thumbsup:

 

[_Alex_]

So basically dump food on it during the day to entice it to open up and eat?? We have one and I hate trying to feed it at night with a flashlight to see what the heck I'm doing!!


Sent from my iPhone by spaceships!

 

[Verduzco]

Great info.

 

[ccampo]

Mine always open at night when I feed my fishes before the lights are turned off.
I can probably switch to feed during the day or early n the morning, problem is I'm not at home during that time.
Thanks for sharing

 

[hyocho1]

How long does it take for new polyps to emerge?

 

[CastAway]

Bought these two pieces today. Excited!

 

[mcarroll]

Mine always open at night when I feed my fishes before the lights are turned off.
I can probably switch to feed during the day or early n the morning, problem is I'm not at home during that time.
Thanks for sharing

If they are already open at the time you feed - MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

-Matt

 

[Davesgt]

You get these from The Aquarium?

Bought these two pieces today. Excited!

 

[CastAway]

You get these from The Aquarium?

I did. :bigsmile:

Currently, they begin to open once my whites go off, and are fully extended by lights out. After lights out, I've been basting them with Reef Nutrition frozen brine shrimp, and, SFBB frozen plankton. Still deciding where they'll be place permanently.

 

[Preyou]

How often are you feeding them? Nightly?

 

[CastAway]

How often are you feeding them? Nightly?

Twice a week.

 

[Davesgt]

Lol I thought so, I was up there on sunday a bought a nice sized frag of sun coral, now im just trying to get it to eat. Ive had 3 polyps come out but no luck with the rest so far.

I did. :bigsmile:

Currently, they begin to open once my whites go off, and are fully extended by lights out. After lights out, I've been basting them with Reef Nutrition frozen brine shrimp, and, SFBB frozen plankton. Still deciding where they'll be place permanently.