No polyps but still grows?

KIKe

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Jan 24, 2021
Messages
207
Reaction score
132
Location
Roseville
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Hello everyone,

I got this speciosa frag about 4 months ago. It had normal PE at first, but after a couple weeks I couldn't see lots of the polyps at the day time, only when lights are off.

It still grows and also has some pink. What could be the cause?

I think my nitrate is at around 0 for a while. Would that be the possible reason?
 
Last edited:
OP
OP
KIKe

KIKe

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Jan 24, 2021
Messages
207
Reaction score
132
Location
Roseville
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
45173d3c-ff16-4e62-a4d1-b5f584cff94a-1_all_22720.jpg

This was taken in November 2025



11545.jpg
45173d3c-ff16-4e62-a4d1-b5f584cff94a-1_all_25066.jpg
 

Marine Betta

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Feb 20, 2026
Messages
298
Reaction score
183
Location
Florida
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
45173d3c-ff16-4e62-a4d1-b5f584cff94a-1_all_22720.jpg

This was taken in November 2025



11545.jpg
45173d3c-ff16-4e62-a4d1-b5f584cff94a-1_all_25066.jpg
It could be the low nitrates, but acros can go dormant for months and then take off with growth and PE. Speciosa tends to be especially temperamental. The fact that it’s growing and has PE at night tells me it’s healthy. Any signs of pests? Have you ordered an ICP test recently? Any fish that could possibly be picking at it?
 
OP
OP
KIKe

KIKe

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Jan 24, 2021
Messages
207
Reaction score
132
Location
Roseville
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
It could be the low nitrates, but acros can go dormant for months and then take off with growth and PE. Speciosa tends to be especially temperamental. The fact that it’s growing and has PE at night tells me it’s healthy. Any signs of pests? Have you ordered an ICP test recently? Any fish that could possibly be picking at it?
Thank you for the reply.

I did deal with the little white bugs a month ago, but it has been like that for a long while, way earlier than I had the bug. I did see some improvement on PE after dosing nitrate.
Hopefully it will show better PE at day time.

I think it might actually be the nitrate problem, my acros (especially my WD) weren't really happy due to strong light with low nutrients.
 

Attachments

  • synthesis_e05d6d90-41da-41ca-9d94-d00d7d623860_image_save_local1774289956291.jpg
    synthesis_e05d6d90-41da-41ca-9d94-d00d7d623860_image_save_local1774289956291.jpg
    92.1 KB · Views: 24
  • PXL_20260322_043707949.jpg
    PXL_20260322_043707949.jpg
    179.6 KB · Views: 19
  • PXL_20260323_020914000.jpg
    PXL_20260323_020914000.jpg
    167.6 KB · Views: 25
  • PXL_20260323_020943279.jpg
    PXL_20260323_020943279.jpg
    163.4 KB · Views: 22

Marine Betta

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Feb 20, 2026
Messages
298
Reaction score
183
Location
Florida
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
It could be the low nitrates, but acros can go dormant for months and then take off with growth and PE. Speciosa tends to be especially temperamental. The fact that it’s growing and has PE at night tells me it’s healthy. Any signs of pests? Have you ordered an ICP test recently? Any fish that could possibly be picking at it?
Thank you for the reply.

I did deal with the little white bugs a month ago, but it has been like that for a long while, way earlier than I had the bug. I did see some improvement on PE after dosing nitrate.
Hopefully it will show better PE at day time.

I think it might actually be the nitrate problem, my acros (especially my WD) weren't really happy due to strong light with low nutrients.
You have some very nice acros. That is very likely. If you don’t already, I would suggest dosing acropower. I noticed improvement in growth, coloration, and PE almost immediately after I started using it.
 
OP
OP
KIKe

KIKe

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Jan 24, 2021
Messages
207
Reaction score
132
Location
Roseville
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
It could be the low nitrates, but acros can go dormant for months and then take off with growth and PE. Speciosa tends to be especially temperamental. The fact that it’s growing and has PE at night tells me it’s healthy. Any signs of pests? Have you ordered an ICP test recently? Any fish that could possibly be picking at it?
Thank you for the reply.

I did deal with the little white bugs a month ago, but it has been like that for a long while, way earlier than I had the bug. I did see some improvement on PE after dosing nitrate.
Hopefully it will show better PE at day time.

I think it might actually be the nitrate problem, my acros (especially my WD) weren't really happy due to strong light with low nutrients.
You have some very nice acros. That is very likely. If you don’t already, I would suggest dosing acropower. I noticed improvement in growth, coloration, and PE almost immediately after I started using it.
Oh wow, thank you.

I am dosing neonitro at this time. Will try other products after I use up this bottle. I also have AB+, isn't that pretty similar to acro power?
 

Marine Betta

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Feb 20, 2026
Messages
298
Reaction score
183
Location
Florida
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
It could be the low nitrates, but acros can go dormant for months and then take off with growth and PE. Speciosa tends to be especially temperamental. The fact that it’s growing and has PE at night tells me it’s healthy. Any signs of pests? Have you ordered an ICP test recently? Any fish that could possibly be picking at it?
Thank you for the reply.

I did deal with the little white bugs a month ago, but it has been like that for a long while, way earlier than I had the bug. I did see some improvement on PE after dosing nitrate.
Hopefully it will show better PE at day time.

I think it might actually be the nitrate problem, my acros (especially my WD) weren't really happy due to strong light with low nutrients.
You have some very nice acros. That is very likely. If you don’t already, I would suggest dosing acropower. I noticed improvement in growth, coloration, and PE almost immediately after I started using it.
Oh wow, thank you.

I am dosing neonitro at this time. Will try other products after I use up this bottle. I also have AB+, isn't that pretty similar to acro power?
I use AB+ too. It’s a great product. Both are amino acid blends, but AB is more of a general blend for all corals. Acropower was made specifically for sps and acropora. My sps love it. I wouldn’t stop using AB+ though. I also dose Aquavitro Fuel.
 
OP
OP
KIKe

KIKe

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Jan 24, 2021
Messages
207
Reaction score
132
Location
Roseville
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
It could be the low nitrates, but acros can go dormant for months and then take off with growth and PE. Speciosa tends to be especially temperamental. The fact that it’s growing and has PE at night tells me it’s healthy. Any signs of pests? Have you ordered an ICP test recently? Any fish that could possibly be picking at it?
Thank you for the reply.

I did deal with the little white bugs a month ago, but it has been like that for a long while, way earlier than I had the bug. I did see some improvement on PE after dosing nitrate.
Hopefully it will show better PE at day time.

I think it might actually be the nitrate problem, my acros (especially my WD) weren't really happy due to strong light with low nutrients.
You have some very nice acros. That is very likely. If you don’t already, I would suggest dosing acropower. I noticed improvement in growth, coloration, and PE almost immediately after I started using it.
Oh wow, thank you.

I am dosing neonitro at this time. Will try other products after I use up this bottle. I also have AB+, isn't that pretty similar to acro power?
I use AB+ too. It’s a great product. Both are amino acid blends, but AB is more of a general blend for all corals. Acropower was made specifically for sps and acropora. My sps love it. I wouldn’t stop using AB+ though. I also dose Aquavitro Fuel.
I see, will definitely try that!
 

TOP 10 Trending Threads

WHAT AMOUNT OF LIVE ROCK AND SAND SHOULD BE PRIORITIZED FOR OPTIMAL BIODIVERSITY/FILTRATION?

  • 100% live rock + bagged sand

    Votes: 34 26.4%
  • 100% dry rock + 100% live sand

    Votes: 45 34.9%
  • 50/50 live/dry rock, 50/50 live/bagged sand

    Votes: 29 22.5%
  • 75% live rock, 25% live sand

    Votes: 11 8.5%
  • 25% live rock, 75% live sand

    Votes: 10 7.8%
Back
Top