A R2R Spotlight: "Variable Star"

[ficklefins]

Sorry for being slow on these updates everybody.

Variable Star

- Variable Star (aka Mohawks, aka Supernova) palys are one of my favorites because they offer such a wide array of colors. This paly stands out from the rest because of its yellow/green splotchy center which fades to a light brown/pink before reaching the solid pink outer oral disc. The skirt on this paly is a series of pink and tan stripes that match the colors on the oral disc. Variable Star keepers will notice stronger pinks with different light levels, while others will notice more of a green center. The oral disc also has pink sparkles scattered throughout which can be easier to see close up.

Lighting:
- This paly will tolerate a wide range of lighting. Higher lighting will make colors stronger but be cautious when acclimating.

Flow:
- These guys will do best in medium/high flow situations with a variable flow being the optimal condition.

Feeding:
-

Origins:
-

Growth Rate:
- These are medium rate growers that spread better once established.

Rarity:
- Not very easy to find, and may fetch a decent price.

ID Confusions:
- One of the most confusing things with this paly is that fact that it may have at some point in time been called three different names: Mohawks, Variable Star, or Supernova. Keep in mind that there is another, and possible different, paly called Super Nova .

Other info:
- Mermaid Aquarium gave the Variable Star its original name, along with the pics found on the ZoaID site.

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Feel free to comment on past Club-Zoa Spotlights:

Club-Zoa Zoanthid/Paly spotlights:
Pyro’s Envy

PPRPE

Pink Elephants

Ruby Red

Red People Eater

Mean Green

Eagle Eyes

Purple People Eaters

Zoanthid Anatomy

Armageddon

Purple Death

Armor of Gods

Nuclear Green


Club-Zoa Care Spotlights:

Shipping Methods

Zoa Dip

Zoanthid Anatomy

 

[Chelsey]

What a wonderful spotlight I love VS, especially their sparkliness:

 

[Zoanuts]

I think these are my all time favs. The colors are fantastic. Great Pic Chelsey!

 

[sf_ramsden]

That is an amazing pic chelsey!

 

[ficklefins]

Chelsey, thanks for the reminder. I almost forgot to mention the pink sparkles throughout the oral disc.

 

[toddman74]

here's some mohawk pics... the same ones as Marv's, but different perspective.

 

[fishes2889]

By Chelsey's wonderful picture, it seems that all the "sparkles" are raised throughout the oral disc as well.

I need me some !

 

[Nikon_Guy]

What a wonderful spotlight I love VS, especially their sparkliness:

Drooool, Slobber.... Slobber, Drooooool

 

[JGoslee]

These are definitely one of my favorites.

Lighting - IME they seem to get brighter in higher light. I have them under 2-250watt de 14k phoenix with 2-39watt T5 super actinics. I have them in two different locations. The single polyp pic is on a frag rack about 16" from the lights at the top of my reef. The other two frags are on the bottom.

Flow - I have them in high flow.

Growth rate - These grow very fast for me. I get about 3-4 polyps a month.

 

[chadfarmer]

mine get beat with a 1 inch wave and are growing like crazy (3 babys this week and have been in my tank for 2 weeks)

 

[I-K@ndY]

Here is mine

 

[JGoslee]

Thats a great pic Steve.

 

[I-K@ndY]

Thanks Super Mod

 

[ficklefins]

Thanks Super Mod

With that avatar you can call him a super trouble maker :hammer:

But seriously. The pics are nice, but could guys give us some details on flow, light, and anything else that is part of the spotlight focus. Thanks!

 

[MATIBY]

I just picked up a 4 polyp frag on Monday, They opened up after 30 mins of being placed in the tank. I have placed them at the bottom for now under 150 MH 20K. I'll move them around after a week or so.

Pinoy, thats a cool shot right there.

Joslee yours look pretty healthy. How about a brief detail of its surroundings.
Thanks.


Edit: LOL , I reread this thread and found Joslees specs.

 

[akrimmel]

i recieved a single polyp this week, just not that distictive as posted previously.

 

[Who Dah?]

Photo taken in ~2005.11 (Sorry for the calendar rif -- I couldn't find the shot w/out the calendar part attached!!)

• Lights: 250W 14K Phoenix DE + VHO Actinic
• Flow: Moderate
• Location: 1/2 way up in the tank
• Notes: Well established tank, DEEP sand bed (like 5" deep), refugium, got awesome growth. Polyps were BIG! (Nickle size to quarter size)

And photo taken ~2007.05 of the same broodstock!

• Lights: 250W 20K Radium SE
• Flow: Moderate
• Location: 6" from waterline, direct light but off to the side.
• Notes: "Nutrient Free" tank, Bare Bottom, no fuge, moderate growth. Small polyps for this family Zoanthid, but still ~1/4" plus in size.

 

[Pufferpunk]

So these are the same as Mohawks?

 

[Randy]

I have moved mine in high light and they seem to be getting more color than when I had them down low.

 

[fishes2889]

Outstanding Randy!