SPS polyp extension

[PeterEde]

I have a few birdsnests, Green slimer and acro
I seem to get more polyp extension at night than during the day
Does that mean PAR is too high?

 

[Acros]

It is normal behavior.

 

[Waters]

SPS will often use their polyps more frequently at night to avoid predators who are "sleeping" and would otherwise munch on the coral......or you can say they get their energy during the day from zooxanthellae and the light, while at night they need to catch food :)

 

[ScottB]

SPS will often use their polyps more frequently at night to avoid predators who are "sleeping" and would otherwise munch on the coral......or you can say they get their energy during the day from zooxanthellae and the light, while at night they need to catch food :)

Excellent explanation.

 

[robotrash]

Does this apply to LPS as well? I notice my candy cane, trumpet, and Favia all get some big extension once the lights go down. My RFAs fluff up and fully open as the light lowers as well.

 

[Waters]

Does this apply to LPS as well? I notice my candy cane, trumpet, and Favia all get some big extension once the lights go down. My RFAs fluff up and fully open as the light lowers as well.

Yes :)

 

[jda]

SPS only NEED to use their polyps for gas exchange. More PE at night and less during the day with photosynthesis happening. Some SPS can use their polyps to try and catch some food, but they probably don't catch much in captivity, but this also happens more at night in the wild. LPS and NPS have different levels of food catching than SPS do.

In the same system, frags that I put in my fuge with no fish have maxi PE whereas the ones in the display have little - they all grow the same. Don't sweat this at all. Growth and color is about a million times better indicator than PE.

 

[KGV]

SPS only NEED to use their polyps for gas exchange. More PE at night and less during the day with photosynthesis happening. Some SPS can use their polyps to try and catch some food, but they probably don't catch much in captivity, but this also happens more at night in the wild. LPS and NPS have different levels of food catching than SPS do.

In the same system, frags that I put in my fuge with no fish have maxi PE whereas the ones in the display have little - they all grow the same. Don't sweat this at all. Growth and color is about a million times better indicator than PE.

SPS only NEED to use their polyps for gas exchange. More PE at night and less during the day with photosynthesis happening. Some SPS can use their polyps to try and catch some food, but they probably don't catch much in captivity, but this also happens more at night in the wild. LPS and NPS have different levels of food catching than SPS do.

In the same system, frags that I put in my fuge with no fish have maxi PE whereas the ones in the display have little - they all grow the same. Don't sweat this at all. Growth and color is about a million times better indicator than PE.

Could you refer an article where they show data to support that polyps are for gas exchange? Cheers