Coral Polyps won't come out to play ??

[travis w 99999]

I have a Gorgonian that has not opened up his polyps for over a week now. I bought him as a combo with two other gorgonians on a plug. The others are doing fine right next to it, but this one won't come out. This one is very skinny and the polyps stick out either side. The other ones are round and the polyps stick out everywhere. Any idea what could be wrong? I have checked all my water parameters that I can and they are fine. I have noticed what I think are some small copepods crawling on it, but I didn't think that would bother him. I tried a new spot closer to the light but still no luck.

Also, 3 days ago I found a hermit crab picking at my Greenstar coral. This coral has always opened up and looked very healthy. But this hermit crab was bugging him 3 days ago and he has still not come back out. Even after I glued this one to a rock when it broke loose he came right out. I can't see why a hermit crab would cause him not to come out any more. I also noticed a few small copepods crawling on this one.

What do you think?? Should I just be patient? How long until you figure I definitely have a problem? I tried gently squirting phytoplankton on them but also not luck.

Help is very much appreciated,

Thanks,

Travis

 

[esmithiii]

Patience, grasshopper. You may try moving the gorgonian to another location.

How much water flow do you have on the gorgonian? Lighting? How are your water parameters?

Ernie

 

[Gatortailale1]

Like E. said, be patient. It took the one I have 2+ weeks to open. Now after a year, it has branched a ton and opens and closes when it wants.

Also, may not get many responses since this topic was just discussed a few days ago. See thread:
http://www.reefs.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=032084

 

[Ben1]

What kind of gorgonias are we talking about. Many are non photosynthetic. A general rule is the ones with white polyps are non and the ones with tan brown polyps are photosythetic.

Gorgonias are capable of shedding a skin just like sarcophytons. As algea grows on them they shed the skin to rid of this algea. During the shedding proccess they wont open. I have two types one does this (purple ribbon) and one doesnt (candelabra) so it depends. If one of your gorgs are non photosynthetic it is a possible they will only feed at night so look for polyps then.

Moving the gorgs is stressfull. Just decide on a location with med-strong current and bright light and leave them for atleast a week.

How old is your tank, what are your parameters? This would help us alot.

HTH