Is it normal 4 this coral to be white on top?

[RL321]

This coral (Stylophora) to be white on only the top of it? It has always been like this. Polyps are extended on the white part as well as all around it. It captures food like crazy when fed. Does it look healthy?

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j268/rl321/DSC03351.jpg

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j268/rl321/DSC03353.jpg

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j268/rl321/DSC03354.jpg

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j268/rl321/DSC03357.jpg

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j268/rl321/DSC03358.jpg

[ghostman]

Looks healthy to me. A lighter leading edge is usually an indication of growth if you have such good polyp extension. If the spot looks bare, then you have a problem.

[Psirex]

did it always look like that?

[RL321]

did it always look like that?

Yeah pretty much, what ya thinking? I have to look at past pics to see if its grown much.

[Psirex]

I was thinking that if its always been that way then yes its normal but if it started small and have gotten larger then you have an issue.... But from looking at the 2nd and 3rd pictures it seems it is starting in other places...

[RL321]

I was thinking that if its always been that way then yes its normal but if it started small and have gotten larger then you have an issue.... But from looking at the 2nd and 3rd pictures it seems it is starting in other places...

Those pics were all taken tonight

[Psirex]

could be too much light for the coral...

[JR719]

Just a guess, without a time line of photo's.....

1. STN, bad. Many possibilities.
2. Not acclimated to the intense light, bad. Acclimate.
3. New growth (only if time lapse photo's), good.

2nd and 3rd shot looks like bare skeleton. Is that right? If not, and there are polyps, let it go. Sorta washed out photo.

[JustinReef]

Does the white still have polyps? I don't get that on the tips but I do get it on the underside of my mine once they grow large enough and the bottom areas are shaded. They turn white(ish) but still have great polyp extension. Seeing that much white at the tips worries me personally. Hard to tell from the pictures though.

[RL321]

I have just recently moved it lower. I think I might go ahead and lower thr light intensity a little more though. The white part on the top has polyp extension and captures food but it just seems like any white should be were new growth is and not on the part were the light is blasting it. I am begining to think the light is too intense.Its a radion at 65% and did have it on the sand for a while before moving it up. I will have to look and find the pics of when it went in.