How do corals survive during low tide?

[fishboy19]

I mean I understand corals like zoos maybe excreting a slime coat...but what about acros? I hear how they may be harvested during low tide...so how do they not just dry up? Do they excrete slime as well? Does being exposed have any benefits? I would imagine that it would take care of certain pests like acro crabs and maybe some parasites?

Just wondering fellas,

-MatthewM

[G-money]

Mostly slime as well.
Have you ever kept an SPS (or frag of one) out of water for 3-5 minutes? IME, most of them slime right up.

As for benefits, I'm not aware of any. I think they have mostly just adapted to tolerate it.

[fishboy19]

Yeah I've noticed the slime before I guess...I just wasn't sure if they would have enough water in their "skin" to excrete enough to sustain for that long.

-MatthewM

[BobB]

The slime is very important, but so is an osmoprotectant molecule produced by the Symbiodinium zooxanthellae called dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP). DMSP is that funky smell you get when you take an sps out of the water. DMSP retains water and keeps the coral from dessicating.

Bob

[ri]

Assuming it is not too sunny or windy, how long could a coral survive out of water?

I'm sure it is species specific but a rough time would be interesting to know.

ri

[Sparkss]

Q: How do corals survive during low tide?

A: They hold their breath ? :)

[fishboy19]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6611528#post6611528 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BobB
The slime is very important, but so is an osmoprotectant molecule produced by the Symbiodinium zooxanthellae called dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP). DMSP is that funky smell you get when you take an sps out of the water. DMSP retains water and keeps the coral from dessicating.

Bob

k thats nice but how about a thorough answer? lol, jkjk, couldn't get more detailed than that!

So are there any benefits for the coral?

-MatthewM

[iCam]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6613355#post6613355 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fishboy19

So are there any benefits for the coral?

It doesn't die when exposed at lowtide :D

[fishboy19]

touche' :D

-MatthewM

[creepereefer]

I use to run a 180, every 10 hours the water level in my tank will drop exposing only the top corals in my tank. They will stay exposed up to 15 minutes with no problems ,lights will be on the entire time. The tank would then fill back up. Other the major slime , no real problems. I do caution you, it smells awfull .

[creepereefer]

I think the benefits of corals being exposed and this is (jmo) bugs like nudis, red bugs and other bugs are exposed leaving them to die also keeping them under control. I also believe that exposure helps with the pigmentation (color).

[Bojan]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6611563#post6611563 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ri
[B]Assuming it is not too sunny or windy, how long could a coral survive out of water?

I observed corald (Acropora) and clams (Tridacna) during low tide on the Maldives. Thery can survive out of water at least for 2 hours every day on the sun without any clouds.