Zoanthid spitting up its intestines?

[Chameleon]

Hello yall,
I'm pretty new to keeping zoanthids...been keeping mostly sps. I noticed a few of my zoas have a black string like thing coming out of their mouths. It looks almost like it might be there intestines. I was thinking that they may have eaten some sand since they are on the sandbed and are trying to expel it, but who knows, maybe its something more severe. Does anyone know what I am witnessing and should i be concerned? Thanks
-Cham

 

[matty0206]

I believe they are expelling their Zooxanthella. They should be fine. If your light is much higher than where they came from (lfs) they will rapidly produce it and then expel excess.

 

[mgdmirage]

I've experienced this too, it is either as said previously or perhaps excrement.

 

[Chameleon]

fun fun..hoards of bacteria being expelled into my tank...
on that note did anyone hear about this cool cuttlefish that uses symbiotic fluorescence bacteria to hide its shadow as it swims in the moonlight
check out this
nsf.gov - Special Report - Science Nation

 

[caudill187]

+1 expelling zoanthellae, probably adjusting to light or another tank condition. Cool article.

 

[redemer123]

Someone may note that zoos dont have intestines :), I agree with excrement of some sort. they'll be fine and so will your tank it wont do any harm