A question about sweeper tentacles

[shollis2814]

So, I had a frag of catspaw in my tank and it was doing great. Yesterday I unexpectedly acquired a frag of bird's nest and I placed it on the same level, but 3 or so inches away. Last night when I turned on my moonlights, the catspaw's polyps were withdrawn except for a few on the top and opposite side from the bird's nest. That never happened before, so I suspect the bird's nest stung the catspaw. Both frags are an inch or less in size.

I have moved the bird's nest to the substrate for a bit while I find a better place for it. Does this sound like the catspaw is getting stung? If it was only one night, should it recover in a frag that small?

Thanks. New to these types of SPS

 

[Wilsoni]

I've never seen Pocilloporidae species shoot out sweeper tentacles. 3" is definitely reasonable space, especially if your frags are that tiny.

Any recent changes in your alk by chance?

 

[Wilsoni]

I would try giving your SPS at least 4" of space if possible so they have room to grow

 

[shollis2814]

I've never seen Pocilloporidae species shoot out sweeper tentacles. 3" is definitely reasonable space, especially if your frags are that tiny.

Any recent changes in your alk by chance?

Alkalinity was high 2 days ago (13) and I just checked and it's 11. So, nothing too drastic.
I plan on giving them a lot more room. I am working on some new rockwork, so things are a little crowded as high light space is limited.

After I saw the catspaw withdrawn I read that bird's nest can have stingers. That's why I asked.
Thanks! :-D

 

[themcnertney]

Hmm I didnt know either of the two has sweeper tentacles.

 

[shollis2814]

I could be totally wrong (or the website could be). Looking again.
Regardless, I have moved it away. Time to see if the catspaw comes out today.

 

[Wilsoni]

What caused your alk to drop 2 dKH in 2 days? Are you dosing to maintain it? Alk swings alone are a huge culprit for retracted polyps on Stylophora, Pocillopora and Birdnest.

Also 11 and 13 dKH are a bit high IMO. Which salt mix do you use?

 

[shollis2814]

I am trying to tweak to get parameters in line to start dripping kalk. I was battling low calcium/bad calcium test kit. I made the mistake of buffering top off water a month ago, and three water changes later, I am still having some magnesium, calcium, alk. issues. The lowest my alk gets is 9 and I don't dose anything for alkalinity, just calcium and magnesium as needed.

I use LFS water because I don't have an RODI unit. I was letting the alk fall a bit, so I did not dose yesterday.

 

[Graffiti Spot]

Birdsnest, poculipora and stylophora or anything like it do not have sweeper tenticles. Most I don't know any sps that have sweepers... besides maybe pavona or leptos.

I would look towards alk changes like stated above. What are you testing your parameters with?

 

[shollis2814]

OK, let me preface this by saying I am an SPS noob.
I think the answer was...it was nighttime.

When I checked I just turned on the moonlights. When the lights came on yesterday, he it was not only fully extended polyps, but I also say a slight 'y' branch happening at the tip.