Acro Frag Not Extending Polyps?

[GMGQ]

Here's a pic of the frag I got about a month ago:


It's pretty much been the same since I got it. When I got it (from OA), there were polyps extending from it, which looked cool in the light.

But those polyps havent really been extending since I got home. I put it higher in the tank, because I read that it requires high lighting. But the polyps were totally retracted. I put it on the sandbed, and the polyps sort of peeked out. I tried putting it at a medium level with more flow, but that didnt seem to help.

So where's the optimal place to put it?? Thanks.

[rickjames]

Check at night with a flashlight. Many corals only extend polyps at night, even in captivity.

[GMGQ]

Yeah, actually I have. It's pretty much the same, 24/7. Plus it's polyps were extended at the LFS like the rest of their acro frags, while the lights were on. Plus their MH's are only about a foot above the frags, so they're pretty close. But I couldnt recreate it even when I put it at the top of my LR...

Originally Posted by rickjames

Check at night with a flashlight. Many corals only extend polyps at night, even in captivity.

[christyf5]

Does that goby sit on it?? When I had my clown goby, I never saw polyps as the goby would be wheeling his little but into every SPS I had. After getting rid of the goby, the SPS were fine.

You may also want to check for red bugs.

[GMGQ]

Yeah I sorta suspect him as well. Sometimes it will rub up against the acro.

Originally Posted by christyf5

Does that goby sit on it?? When I had my clown goby, I never saw polyps as the goby would be wheeling his little but into every SPS I had. After getting rid of the goby, the SPS were fine.

You may also want to check for red bugs.

[Xtasia]

I'd watch the goby... mine not only sat on the acro he nipped at the polyps.. after a few days I noticed arms of polyps missing... of those that would extend.. the rest were too harassed to come out..

Kinda notice that better flow makes them open their polyps...

some also have really small polyps.

[Chin_Lee]

Originally Posted by Xtasia

I'd watch the goby... mine not only sat on the acro he nipped at the polyps.. after a few days I noticed arms of polyps missing... of those that would extend.. the rest were too harassed to come out..

Kinda notice that better flow makes them open their polyps...

some also have really small polyps.

I would look for red bugs and WATCH THAT GOBY. Those clown type gobies are notorious for eating polyps from acros. they are nasty. if you have red bugs, treat with interceptor. do search for the treatment on this board or reefcentral.
cwlee

[Samw]

I have no doubt its the goby. Mine ate Acro polyps when I had them several years ago.

[GMGQ]

Yeah, I do notice the clown goby would sometimes peck at it. Sometimes I can still see the polyps in their little holes (like that picture), so at least it seems that the clown goby isnt having much luck at pecking them off.

I had red that clown gobies like hanging around in the braches of an acro. I never knew they did that because they liked eating it!

How do the retracted polyps affect the health and growth of the acro?

Xtasia, I tried putting my acro in a high flow area, but that made the polyps retract even more. It's only when I put it at the bottom, that the polyps will slightly come out... Weird eh? I read they like high flow and high light to grow. Go figure...

[Ruth]

I know I have read that there are a couple of different schools of thought on polyp extension - one being an indication of a healthy coral - the other being that a lot of extension is an indication that the coral is not getting enough food - ie light and flow - and is extending it's polyps in search of same (note a LOT of extension or overextended).
I would also bet money that the little yellow bugger is picking at it and causing it to be irritated and pulling in it's polyps. I believe that they can eventually kill the coral and it is not recommended to keep them together.