Factors effecting Duncan polyp extension?

[betareef]

I have a new Duncan frag that spends a lot of time closed. It opens out once or twice each day, sometimes for a couple of hours, but often only half extended.

The frag has two heads, and each head is in the process of splitting. One has three 'buds', the other has just one larger one. Is this the reason it isn't extending fully?

In case it helps, other corals in the tank - sinularia, green star pol;yps, leptastrea and acans, all seem to extend normally.

Approx. parameters are (using a test strip - results marked with ** are very hard to read)
- pH 8.2 (could be +/- 0.2)
- nitrate 20 mg/l
- nitrite 0
- GH 150+ **
- TA 100 mg/l **
- KH 150 mg/l **
- chlorine/iron/copper all zero

Using natural seawater, not adding anything, but water changes weekly of about 15%

 

[Uncle99]

I find this coral quite a sulker, mine hates any movement whatsoever and will stay retracted or partially retracted for weeks, then if I leave it be, it pops out in the light, likes white light and only partially retracts at night.
Do nothing….dont play his game.

 

[betareef]

deleted

 

[betareef]

I find this coral quite a sulker, mine hates any movement whatsoever and will stay retracted or partially retracted for weeks, then if I leave it be, it pops out in the light, likes white light and only partially retracts at night.
Do nothing….dont play his game.

That's a good description of it's behaviour. It's like it is sulking after being moved into my tank a couple, maybe 3 weeks ago. Maybe that's all that's happening here, and I just need to be more patient. :)

 

[55NEVER]

What fish do you have in the tank, could something be picking at it or irritating it? Mine did this also when it went from 1 head to 4 heads almost over night.

 

[betareef]

What fish do you have in the tank, could something be picking at it or irritating it? Mine did this also when it went from 1 head to 4 heads almost over night.

I have seen nothing annoying it, but I have a yellow coral goby, a percula clown, a vanderbilt chromis, and a scissortail goby - also hermits and snails

 

[Uncle99]

That's a good description of it's behaviour. It's like it is sulking after being moved into my tank a couple, maybe 3 weeks ago. Maybe that's all that's happening here, and I just need to be more patient. :)

Super resilient coral.
Just lazy.
He’ll come around.
Likes some white light.

 

[betareef]

Super resilient coral.
Just lazy.
He’ll come around.
Likes some white light.

A good confidence building post ! Thanks :)