How long until my coral starts growing?

[gdwb10101]

I've had the majority of my coral for 2-3 months and I havn't really noticed a significant increase in population. The size of the polyps and everything are getting bigger, but they havn't started to spread out. Does it usually take about 6 months for this to start to occur?

Also while I was away, my dad bought me a strange blue coral. Very pretty, but I was unable to find any info about it. He told me that the guy at the LFS said it was called a blue smurf coral (figures that I couldn't find anything about it on the net). It is really cool and that is the only coral that I can visible recognize it growing. It has blue "bulbs" at the end of each stalk and after a week or two, the bulbs fall off and then the coral grows new stalks and bulbs, while keeping the old ones. When my lights come on in the tank, I'll post a pic or 2.

[Reefneck]

As far as growth goes, A lot depends on what the animal is, What you feed them, What kind of lighting and how long the lights are on. It has taken 6 months for my zoanthids to start spreading. Thats with Metal Halides 7 hours a day and actinics for 11. Also fed phytoplankton every other day.

More info is needed to provide a proper answer. Some grow faster than others. Some so slow it's ridiculous.

[gdwb10101]

Thanks for the advice.

Heres the pic

[leveldrummer]

is that a pic with polyps open? does it have a hard body of soft? does it react and retract when you mess with it? any more info like that and any pics of it as it changes would help.

[gdwb10101]

The polyps are starting to grow back. It doesn't react if you mess with it. It feels "firm". It's not like touching pudding or a stick. It's inbetween, hard for me to describe. No changes yet, the polyps are only a little bigger, they havn't fallen off or gotten huge.

[Reefneck]

Do you even know what it is? A person should never buy anything without researching it's needs first.

You also have yet to mention what if anything you feed, What lighting you have etc.

[gdwb10101]

My dad bought it for me while I was away. He asked the guy at the LFS and he said that it was safe and called something like the blue smurf coral. Honestly, I'm not gonna argue with him if he is going to do something for my tank which can save me some money. He told me that if it dies that its no problem.

Right now i'm running pc, but i would like to upgrade to 150w or 175w metal halides (possibly with actinic supplements, depending on budget). I don't know if it is solely photosynthetic, but I turn off filtration and filter feed every 3-4 days.

[Reefneck]

Originally Posted by gdwb10101

Honestly, I'm not gonna argue with him if he is going to do something for my tank which can save me some money. He told me that if it dies that its no problem.

This is the part I have a huge problem with. If it saves you money, It doesn't matter if the animal suffers and/or dies.

I'm sorry but I can not support this way of selfish thinking. I'll let someone else that cares so little for an animals life answer your questions from here on out.

[gdwb10101]

I look at it as since the LFS could care so little that they dont even know the real name of the coral, I might as well give it more attention and try to help it out. That is why I am posting this, hopefully someone can help me out. I know that the LFS wont post questions about this.

[Reefneck]

I know I said I wasn't going to help anymore with your attitude toward living animals but I'm bored sitting in this hospital bed.

I have done extensive research and found that what you have is shown healthy in the pic below. Yours are not health in the pic you provided.

Now this should get you started. When you decide to change your attitude about living animals I would be glad to help further. Until then, You are on your own.

Blue Smurf Palys

[Fishfirst]

I believe its his father that has the bad attitude... and is the one buying something without researching. Always ask to go along with him!!! Also stay away from corals that you don't know anything about...

[gdwb10101]

i wasnt in the same country! It was a surprise when i got home. And believe me i wasnt very happy. But then i realized that i might as well give it a shot since the guys at the LFS didn't know anything about it.

BTW i saw where you found the pic and it sure enough says blue smurf paly. BUT, is that all you are going by or is there any information about the blue smurf paly? I mean the guy at the LFS said it was the BSP, but that doesn't mean that is what it really is. That is what i've been calling it, because it is blue. Is this where you found the info? http://www.thefginc.com/

Here is an updated picture that is a little closer and can show how there are stalks. Also there is a stock in the middle which is clearly visible and isn't growing a bulb on it yet. It is the newest stalk. I don't think that I am treating it badly, because when i first received the coral, it had only 3-4 stalks now it has many more. Let me know if you still think that it is the blue smurf paly. I couldn't find any more info about it.

[Reefneck]

Nope, That is NOT palys! Damn it, Back to my research. I have a thought though....I'll be back.

[Reefneck]

Originally Posted by Reefneck

Nope, That is NOT palys! Damn it, Back to my research. I have a thought though....I'll be back.

I got it!! Making me work while in the hospital.

It is a Blue Tunacate Coral



The Blue Palm Coral originates from the shallow reefs of Indonesia and has a thick base with multiple branches, or stalks with asparagus-like heads. These asparagus-like heads are comprised of clusters of zooids that continually filter the water for food. It is common for the Blue Palm to drop their heads both during transit, and within the aquarium. During this time, the tunicate will cover itself with a clear mucous. This is not an indication of poor health. Within a short time, it will blossom and form new flower like heads. The Blue Palm is non-photosynthetic and has no lighting requirements, but should be placed in an area of strong water current. Though not nescessary (they eat dissolved matter), they will benefit from supplemental feeding with liquid plankton and other dissolved organic foods, as well as benefiting from the addition of iodine and trace elements. **Advanced Aquarist Species

[Reefneck]

I'll send you my bill.

[gdwb10101]

Thanks so much. I guess the problem is that I was always looking for the coral under the name blue smurf. How did you find it? Anyways thank you, thank you, thank you.

For those looking into buying this coral:
The Blue Palm Coral originates from the shallow reefs of Indonesia and has a thick base with multiple branches, or stalks with asparagus-like heads. These asparagus-like heads are comprised of clusters of zooids that continually filter the water for food. It is common for the Blue Palm to drop their heads both during transit, and within the aquarium. During this time, the tunicate will cover itself with a clear mucous. This is not an indication of poor health. Within a short time, it will blossom and form new flower like heads. The Blue Palm is non-photosynthetic and has no lighting requirements, but should be placed in an area of strong water current. Though not nescessary (they eat dissolved matter), they will benefit from supplemental feeding with liquid plankton and other dissolved organic foods, as well as benefiting from the addition of iodine and trace elements.

IT ALL MAKES SENSE NOW

[Reefneck]

Originally Posted by gdwb10101

Thanks so much. I guess the problem is that I was always looking for the coral under the name blue smurf. How did you find it? Anyways thank you, thank you, thank you.

IT ALL MAKES SENSE NOW

If I tell, I'll have to kill you.

I don't manage an LFS for nothing.

[flamingo]

Nice pickup and hopefully it makes it, those suckers are usually expensive. Make sure you have plenty of iodide and filter feeder food on hand.

[gdwb10101]

Well if I lived in your area, you'd have my business. My dad said he got it for $25. After looking at the price at one website which said $50 I guess he got a deal. Reefneck, I agree with you about researching before you buy, just to clarify anything.

[Reefneck]

Originally Posted by gdwb10101

Well if I lived in your area, you'd have my business. My dad said he got it for $25. After looking at the price at one website which said $50 I guess he got a deal. Reefneck, I agree with you about researching before you buy, just to clarify anything.

It's only what.....300 Miles up here to Jacksonville? Come on.

Keep in mind the one thing you didn't quote in your post but is in mine....
The fact that this coral is an ADVANCED AQUARIST SPECIES!

Meaning that it is difficult to keep. Corals like that even I choose not to keep. I live by the K.I.S.S. rules and it works great for me. In fact, I'm going ape manure over Zoanthids, Palythoas & Ricordia currently and may just setup a tank just for those 3 types of animals.