Cyphastrea Polyp Extension

[Ocypode sinensis]

Hi, I just got this fully encrusted Cyphastrea frag last Sunday, this is the first time I keep this kind of coral so I want to ask why its polyps aren't extending.

 

[Ocypode sinensis]

Does it look normal?
Tank parameter:

Light: XR15G6 pro, i dont have a par meter though
Salinity: 1.024
NO3: 0.7ppm
PO4: 0.02ppm
Ca: 465ppm
KH: 9.3

i know that my nutrients are on the low side, but I'm also trying out SPS, kinda hard to balance them...

 

[Kasrift]

Does it look normal?
Tank parameter:

Light: XR15G6 pro, i dont have a par meter though
Salinity: 1.024
NO3: 0.7ppm
PO4: 0.02ppm
Ca: 465ppm
KH: 9.3

i know that my nutrients are on the low side, but I'm also trying out SPS, kinda hard to balance them...

I'd raise your salinity, but otherwise looks normal. The thing that I've found with cyphastrea is that they have a few different looks, similar to Montipora how some have visible polyps. I don't think all cyphastrea extend polyps like the WWC bizzaro one. I've had two that grow in my tank for over a year and they don't extend any polyps, but the mouths will inflate.

 

[TrevorHenryTDH]

What kinda flow you have over it?

 

[Kmst80]

I would look at flow and light intensity. Mine came in on the live rock, its sitting on one end of the tank and doesn't get much flow or light.

 

[Ocypode sinensis]

Just wanna update on things, i move the cyphastrea to the top of the tank and now it's happy, the old wound is also healing.

 

[exnisstech]

Just wanna update on things, i move the cyphastrea to the top of the tank and now it's happy, the old wound is also healing.

Interesting. I had one for several years that grew very well but always looked like your first image with little to no extension. It was on the bottom tho so probably needed more light.

 

[Ocypode sinensis]

Interesting. I had one for several years that grew very well but always looked like your first image with little to no extension. It was on the bottom tho so probably needed more light.

I saw that tidal garden said that they need little light, but i figured that it came from a frag tank which also has a bunch of sps so why not they stay together as well here...

 

[exnisstech]

I saw that tidal garden said that they need little light, but i figured that it came from a frag tank which also has a bunch of sps so why not they stay together as well here...

Tidal gardens is where I got mine and the reason I placed it on the bottom lol.