Are these zoanthids okay?

Muchcunfooz · 03/04/2018, 09:20 AM

When the lights turn on the zoanthids open up big and the color is great, but at in the morning when I look at them and they’re closed up, the tips look strange. Are they okay?

Pet Detective · 03/04/2018, 09:48 AM

Yes they are fine, they open and close quite frequently at night.

Beware....they spread rapidly, I would procure a spot for them that you can control so that they don't run wild on your other corals.

Muchcunfooz · 03/04/2018, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pet Detective

Yes they are fine, they open and close quite frequently at night.

Beware....they spread rapidly, I would procure a spot for them that you can control so that they don't run wild on your other corals.

Alright thank you so much!

top shelf · 03/04/2018, 10:53 AM

Think of them like a flower, sun goes down they close up sun comes out they open up. If something disturbs them they will close up to.

gonioporagirl · 03/07/2018, 04:30 PM

That is normal behavior for a zoanthid

Mine close at night and open in the morning. It looks like there isn't much light in the tank in your picture, so that's probably why he's not fully open. I would only start to worry if he is closed for multiple days or if his stalks get very thin. Then i would examine for any pests on them and test water parameters.

porterrick · 03/07/2018, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pet Detective

Yes they are fine, they open and close quite frequently at night.

Beware....they spread rapidly, I would procure a spot for them that you can control so that they don't run wild on your other corals.

So they have to be isolated on one side?

Pet Detective · 03/07/2018, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by porterrick

So they have to be isolated on one side?

They don't "have" to be but if you have expensive more attractive corals, they can be overrun by the zoanthids/palys, so you can sort of control their spreading by putting pieces of rubble around them that can be easily moved, as opposed to permanent rock work or worse...the skeletons of your other corals.

ramseynb · 03/08/2018, 02:26 AM

Make sure you wear goggles and gloves when messing with them. They don’t appear to be the toxic type, but research palytoxin. Some zoas/palys are HIGHLY toxic and have sent people to the ER and left them with permanent damage. Just a PSA.

03/04/2018, 10:53 AM	#4
top shelf Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,022	Think of them like a flower, sun goes down they close up sun comes out they open up. If something disturbs them they will close up to. __________________ Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it into a fruit salad. Philosophy is wondering if that means ketchup is a smoothie. Current tank info: 45g SCA Cube

03/08/2018, 02:26 AM	#8
ramseynb Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: New Braunfels, TX Posts: 630	Make sure you wear goggles and gloves when messing with them. They don’t appear to be the toxic type, but research palytoxin. Some zoas/palys are HIGHLY toxic and have sent people to the ER and left them with permanent damage. Just a PSA. __________________ How do you make an octopus laugh? Ten tickles!

03/04/2018, 09:48 AM	#2
Pet Detective Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 328	Yes they are fine, they open and close quite frequently at night. Beware....they spread rapidly, I would procure a spot for them that you can control so that they don't run wild on your other corals.

03/07/2018, 04:30 PM	#5
gonioporagirl Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 39	That is normal behavior for a zoanthid Mine close at night and open in the morning. It looks like there isn't much light in the tank in your picture, so that's probably why he's not fully open. I would only start to worry if he is closed for multiple days or if his stalks get very thin. Then i would examine for any pests on them and test water parameters.