Green Star Polyp

[hopkins11]

Hi all,

A few weeks ago I added a sweeper power head to my nano and my green star polyp closed up. I turned off the new power head for a few days and no luck. Water quality is fine. Xenia, Zoos, Shrooms all fine. The polyp does not appear to be receeding but just won't open. I've read the other posts where things return to normal after a few days but it has been 3 weeks! Any ideas?

Note: The mat is growing on an tree shaped coral skeleton which was in a hole in the LR to keep its position. When I removed it I noticed that a fan shaped animal was in that hole but it is in such a place that I can't really get a good look. Could this be a sting?

[zhenya]

Well,
It could be many things but from your description the polyps closed up after you added a power head. Before that they were open all the time and were located in the same spot? I think it is quite common for this polyps to remain closed up for a while after being disturbed and I'm pretty sure they will bounce back if they were healthy and striving before the incident. Not many things can deter this type of polyps, or sting them where they would close up and never reopen again. Once established, it is them that you have to watch out for, as they can simply overgrow just about anything in the tank. Including exposed coral skeletons, glass walls of the tank and overflows and even living animals may be at risk of being "taken over".

[Reefland]

I agree with zhenya, these are very tolerable polyps and should bounce back.

[hopkins11]

Thanks - will reply with results...

[Burning2nd]

look here, little frag 2 today

no glue, just wedged it between the rock, now its growing nice on the rock i had it wedged with.

lower left

[hopkins11]

I have observed good health in other corals, including my 2 week old candy cane, which I forgot to list in my earlier post.

My concern now is that I have some algae growing on the polyps themselves. I've read that this can irritate them and prevent opening. Is this the beginning of a slippery slope?!?

[zhenya]

My concern now is that I have some algae growing on the polyps themselves. I've read that this can irritate them and prevent opening. Is this the beginning of a slippery slope?!?

Can you describe this algae a bit more? Is it green or red in color? Is it growing in a mat form or something else?
Sometimes cyanobacteria (sometimes called red slime algae but it is not an algae at all) can begin to grow on the mat of stolons of the green polyps and this may prevent them from opening. If that is what you see, simply blow it off with a turkey baster or siphon it off, if it comes off easily.
It would help alot of you could attach a picture of this algae as well.

[Ninong]

Will, I do know this! Red algae is toxic for all fish.

Exotic Seahorses
Ross

Ross,

That's a rather general statement about red algae. My foxface rabbitfish and my fairy wrasses loved red algae.

Are you talking about cyanobacteria? If so, most fish won't eat it. And if it's filamentous cyanobacteria, it should be relatively easy to blow it off with a turkey baster. That will break up the strands.

[Ninong]

Foxface and fairy wrasses that I had never ate red algae. They ate prolifera Caulerpa. I really don't believe Turkey Baster will not work. Turbo snail can eat it or rub it with your fingers it will come off.

Ross,

Are you talking about algae or cyanobacteria?

Foxface rabbitfish will definitely eat red algae and just about any other kind of algae for that matter. My Cirrhilabrus scottorum loved both the red and the green Seaweed Selects (Ocean Nutrition) but my C. lineatus didn't touch it.

If you're talking about cyanobacteria, which species of turbo snails have you observed eating it?

[zhenya]

And if it's filamentous cyanobacteria, it should be relatively easy to blow it off with a turkey baster. That will break up the strands.

And I had done it on many occasions, simply suck it up with the baster. It should easily come off if it is in fact cyanobacteria. The original poster had not responded yet to confirm one way or the other... I think we are jumping to conclusions too fast, Ross.

[zhenya]

maybe not you. but I do! and I don't jump conclusions too fast! I know maybe you but not me. Plan Turbo snail will do.

Exotic Seahorses
Ross

What? Can the crap,Ross... Show me something that supports your "Plan Turbo snail will do" statement? And, what both algae are you talking about?

[Ninong]

Gene,

After rereading what Ross has posted in this thread, I believe he is referring to cyanobacteria as "red algae." Otherwise how would you explain his statement that his foxface rabbitfish never eats "red algae." It wouldn't make any sense if he were actually talking about algae since, as we all know, rabbitfish eat algae of every conceivable color, shape and form.

So I think when Ross says "red algae," he really means cyanobacteria.

He also makes the general statement that "red algae is toxic to all fish." Obviously this makes no sense if he's talking about algae but is only partially true if he's talking about cyanobacteria. Not all cyanobacteria is toxic, to fish or humans, but some species are very toxic, especially to humans.

One genus of cyanobacteria that both humans and herbivorous fish seem to relish is Spirulina, a genus of filamentous cyanobacteria. We eat it in healthfoods. It is extremely high in protein and a good source of vitamin B12. Of course, it's not algae, it's cyanobacteria. It's in the Kingdom Monera (bacteria) and in the Phylum Cyanobacteria. Unfortunately, vendors in the trade insist on calling it algae.

It would help if people in the retail trade end of the hobby would start calling things what they are so that new hobbyists wouldn't have to wade through all the misinformation to get at the facts.

[zhenya]

I have to agree with you there, Ninong. I simply tried to point out that the original poster hasn't confirmed yet as to what algae exactly he was refering to.
Having said that, I do know that removing cyanobacteria with a turkey baster method, or a blow torch.., don't make any difference in what it actually is. So, there is no point in arguing that with anyone.

[Ninong]

I don't what to say o.k. leave red algae in your tank and see what happens and kill them and you spent alot of money and then one day. My foxface died you were right Ross the fish ate too much red algae.

Ross,

I believe you're talking about cyanobacteria and not "red algae." I can't seem to get that point across. Do you understand that cyanobacteria is not algae? By calling it "red algae," you are confusing new hobbyists. They might think you are talking about real red algae and they might think it is harmful. Red algae is in the Kingdom Protista, Phylum Rhodophyta. It is NOT cyanobacteria, which in a different kingdom altogether: Kingdom Monera (bacteria), Phylum Cyanobacteria.

I wish I could at least get you to specify that you are talking about cyanobacteria and not "red algae."

O.K. Human food is dry up spanish dry up spanish is dry algae right? O.K. maybe this is not ture there are two kind of spanish that we eat there is red spanish and there are green spanish that is what we eat like popeye the sail man.

I believe you probably mean "spinach." Spinach is a flowering plant. It is in the Kingdom Plantae. It is NOT algae! I know of green spinach but I don't believe I have ever come across any red spinach. Popeye the sailor man always ate green spinach from a can.

What I am saying when I had a Foxface he ate green algae yes, But when there was no green algae the fish ate red algae he died.

OK, I suppose it's possible that your foxface died after eating red algae but I doubt that eating red algae caused his death. Perhaps you can tell us which genus of red algae you think he ate that caused his demise? This assumes that you're talking about algae and not cyanobacteria. Are you talking about cyanobacteria or algae?

Your post seems to be confusing algae, which is in the Kingdom Protista, cyanobacteria, which is in the Kingdom Monera, and then spinach, which is in the Kingdom Plantae. You can't get much more confusing than that. We're talking about three different things that are so different they're in separate kingdoms.



P.S. -- I think Kevin is pretty good at identifying his livestock but what do I know.

[zhenya]

Not to be rude but do we all go to the ocean and clean the algae with a Turkey Baster Method. I think not! Right? If so I am suprise. That is why I am saying about turbo snail and other snail. Gene I don't need to show anything support about turbo snail or any kind of snails. Maybe you never hear of it. But you did here about like cleaner shrimp, brittle star and others. I'm sure. They cleans your tank.

Ross,

I know you mean well and want to help...

Having said that, I can't reply to your entire post right now as i have to leave. Plus, Ninong basically beat me to most of it.

However, I just like to point out that trying to help others includes not assuming that others have not read anything or have no experience at all.

You don't know me at all,Ross. If you did you wouldn't assume that I don't know what turbo snails or other inverts eat, or what they need to live a healthy live.

Assuming that people use tukey basters in the ocean is also a moot argument, we not discussing ocean in this thread but someone's aquarium.

I'll post more later but I just want to assure you that I;m not looking to have a personal argument with you. You are missinforming people, not on purpose I am sure, but it bothers me.

[hopkins11]

Wow - It looks like I missed something during my busy weekend!

The algae is not Cyno. It appears to be a hair algae of some sort. After researching a bit further I've moved the GSP into a place with more current in hopes that it would deter further growth (if not help remove the algae all together.) I have an OK camera / will get a pic tonight and post.

Thanks to everyone for helping save the animal. After all, that's what it is all about!

[hopkins11]

Well, the bad news is that I don't have much algea left to show you all.
The good news is that the current appears to be helping.
I've attempted to attach pics to this post.

You may also notice a hermit in the background. Have they been known to munch on polyps?