Discoloration of my Goniopora

[MWmM]

I have a new goniopora (flower basket) and when new, it was brilliant yellow. Over the past few days, the tentacles have begun to become discolored ... the color of rust. The reef is fed mysis shrimp, a solution of oyster eggs and ovaries, arctipods and zooanthellae. Any ideas regarding why and how to improve upon the discoloration.

[Steve McKay]

I have a new goniopora (flower basket) and when new, it was brilliant yellow. Over the past few days, the tentacles have begun to become discolored ... the color of rust. The reef is fed mysis shrimp, a solution of oyster eggs and ovaries, arctipods and zooanthellae. Any ideas regarding why and how to improve upon the discoloration.

First,welcome to Reefland.Second,zooanthellae actually spelled zooxanthellae is not a food.I believe you meant zooplankton.Zooxanthellae are flagellate protozoa that are golden-brown intracellular endosymbionts of various marine animals and protozoa, especially anthozoans such as the scleractinian corals and the tropical sea anemone, Aiptasia.Zooxanthella live in other protozoa (foraminiferans and radiolarians) and in some invertebrates. Most are autotrophs and provide the host with energy in the form of translocated reduced carbon compounds, such as glucose, glycerol, and amino acids, which are the products of photosynthesis .[1] Zooxanthellae can provide up to 90% of a coral’s energy requirements.[2] In return, the coral provides the zooxanthellae with protection, shelter, nutrients (mostly waste material containing nitrogen and phosphorus) and a constant supply of carbon dioxide required for photosynthesis. Available nutrients, incident light, and expulsion of excess cells limits their population.Third,in order to help you we need some info like:

1.How long has your tank been up and running?
2.What are your water parameters,ammonia,nitrite,nitrate,PH,Alk etc?
3.What size is your tank?
4.What kind of lighting do you have?
5.How much circulation do you have in your tank?
6.A photo of the goniopora would help.

[MWmM]

Thanks, Steve, for responding. A picture is attached. Hopefully, I've figured out how to do how to add the attachment....meanwhile, the tank is 68 gallons, has been up and running for about 5 or 6 years and uses 8 Sunpaq Compact Fluorescent lamps (2 each 6700K, 10000K (65 Watts), and 2 each of actinic 420 NM and 460 NM (96 Watts). The little fellow sits about 12" below them. The pH is 8.2, Nitrate 5ppm, Calcium 600 ppm, alk 9dKH, sp.gr. 1.025, PO4 1 ppm, no measurement of ammonia...but I have an indicator which shows "safe" and the temp 80.2

[julesjt]

First,welcome to Reefland.Second,zooanthellae actually spelled zooxanthellae is not a food.I believe you meant zooplankton.Zooxanthellae are flagellate protozoa that are golden-brown intracellular endosymbionts of various marine animals and protozoa, especially anthozoans such as the scleractinian corals and the tropical sea anemone, Aiptasia.Zooxanthella live in other protozoa (foraminiferans and radiolarians) and in some invertebrates. Most are autotrophs and provide the host with energy in the form of translocated reduced carbon compounds, such as glucose, glycerol, and amino acids, which are the products of photosynthesis .[1] Zooxanthellae can provide up to 90% of a coral’s energy requirements.[2] In return, the coral provides the zooxanthellae with protection, shelter, nutrients (mostly waste material containing nitrogen and phosphorus) and a constant supply of carbon dioxide required for photosynthesis. Available nutrients, incident light, and expulsion of excess cells limits their population.Third,in order to help you we need some info like:

1.How long has your tank been up and running?
2.What are your water parameters,ammonia,nitrite,nitrate,PH,Alk etc?
3.What size is your tank?
4.What kind of lighting do you have?
5.How much circulation do you have in your tank?
6.A photo of the goniopora would help.

You are a bad dude! You might be Batman