Paly not spreading?

[SaltLifeSoul17]

Hey guys, has anyone had a paly that does not want to grow new heads? I’ve had this one since August of last year and it just keeps getting bigger. It’s roughly the size of a nickel. The single head keeps getting bigger but it will not spread. It gets fed mysis and brine at least twice a week. Everything else is spreading like crazy. Any help would be appreciated!

 

[Benjammin]

Have you tried moving it? If everything is healthy then maybe it just wants more light. It takes a while for the coral to get used to its new home. Also if it’s being moved often it will prob not grow much.
Maybe consider a dip (last resort).

 

[rhostam]

Is the plug loose on the substrate/rock?

I used to place plugs directly in the sand while the creatures adjusted. But then my snails would come trawling through the sand and knock things down or irritate them. So I started putting the plugs into grates or in the rockwork (unsecured/glued). This helped somewhat. But if the plugs can move and aren't fixed, I've noticed that the creatures don't seem to "settle." So now, I use epoxy to create tight fits in rock work using empty plugs (rotating them occasionally while it cures). Then I pull the blanks out and put the creatures into the new holes. Snails and crabs can't move them around and I've noticed corals like zoas, palys, candy cane, and ricordias look "settled." Once that happens they started expanding more, puffing up more and in the case of the palys and zoas sprouted new heads left and right.

I've included photos of two palys I added to my AIO. One about three months ago, and the other about a month ago. I had the same issue you did. After a period of observation at night I noticed the snails, etc, doing their thing. I implemented the changes and they went from three heads (purchase size) to what you see.

The reason I don't permanently affix them directly to the stonework is that they are destined for a different tank that isn't yet set up much less cycled. Naturally, these things do what they want and the orange-tinted one is spreading off the plug and onto the rockwork despite my plans for it!

 

[Benjammin]

This is my diy frag rack. Good spot for the little guys to get used to things and not get bumped around.

 

[rhostam]

This is my diy frag rack. Good spot for the little guys to get used to things and not get bumped around.

I just need to make or buy one of those things. It's been on my mind for a while but every time I place an order for something I always forget to add one.

 

[Benjammin]

I made mine out of an old aquaclear hob and some suction cups from a heater. Used a cordless drill and a small bit to cut it.

 

[najer]

Hey guys, has anyone had a paly that does not want to grow new heads? I’ve had this one since August of last year and it just keeps getting bigger. It’s roughly the size of a nickel. The single head keeps getting bigger but it will not spread. It gets fed mysis and brine at least twice a week. Everything else is spreading like crazy. Any help would be appreciated!

Some palys and zoas don't like active coraline IME, I would clean the plug or frag it onto a new one.