Extremely Slow Rasta Growth

[Surfandturf]

I have had these rastas for about 4 months now and have yet to see any new growth. The zoas that I introduced at the exact same time with same polyp count (4) now sits around 28-30. Are these just notoriously slow growing zoas? The coraline has grown over the stoma that once attached each polyp. Could that be the problem? Thanks for any input.

 

[DeniseAndy]

I have found these guys picky at times. I had some that flourished like crazy and then just all crashed. I have some new ones now and waiting on some growth. Make sure they are getting some coral food and they should be fine. They do not like leathers or gorgs in my experience.

 

[tankstudy]

I have had these rastas for about 4 months now and have yet to see any new growth. The zoas that I introduced at the exact same time with same polyp count (4) now sits around 28-30.

Some variations grow much faster then others so its kind of hard to compare them =).

Are these just notoriously slow growing zoas?

Not usually, they grow at a decent rate from my experience. In four months they should have popped several heads. I got a 5 headed frag for my nano earlier this year around march, its at 15 heads now.

The coraline has grown over the stoma that once attached each polyp. Could that be the problem? Thanks for any input.

I wouldn't think so but I could be wrong. From what I have seen even after super gluing most of the base and stalk, over time, the zoa/paly will just ooze itself out/around and continue growing.

Based off your picture, I would check water quality first and then lighting. They look a bit unhappy.

 

[Acameron2]

I could be wrong but they kind of look like they are reaching for more light.

 

[Surfandturf]

I would agree with you on water quality and/or light but my water quality is good enough for Sps which I have and the light that I currently have set is allowing other zoas to grow like weeds. Here is a full pic. I got these the same time I got the zoas with the yellow edges. Notice the growth difference?

 

[Surfandturf]

I would agree with you on water quality and/or light but my water quality is good enough for Sps which I have and the light that I currently have set is allowing other zoas to grow like weeds. Here is a full pic. I got these the same time I got the zoas with the yellow edges. Notice the growth difference?

The other zoas i got at the same time had the same number of heads, 4. To clarify, they are the closest zoa patch to the rastas

 

[Squid]

I had about 20 rastas that grew extremely fast to about 50 polyps. Then one day after fragging, they never grew again. Now I'm stuck with 4 polyps that haven't grown in well over a year. I know a few other people who have experienced this also.

 

[Surfandturf]

Haha wierd

 

[stevo01]

My 4 polyp frag of Rastas had 2 babies, then I treated for Bryopsis using direct H2O2 and it killed the babies but ot rid of the Bry. Back to 4 Rastas. Thay are finally getting big. It's been months.

 

[Jen_h]

Have you tried moving them to a different spot? It looks like they're reaching for more light like somebody else mentioned.

 

[Surfandturf]

Yep. I have moved them a couple times, higher they stayed closed for over 1 week. Moved them to the bottom, they started their "reach". Only place they have not been is the top. Maybe i will try.

 

[Jonathan Presseau]

I have this problem with my Rastas too. 4p for over a year. Most bizarre thing.

 

[PhilN]

Mine grew from a small frag like that to over a hundred strong. They didn't do anything for a long time then grew like crazy and have now slowed down again.

 

[Surfandturf]

100 strong would be awesome!

 

[Tahoe61]

Knock on wood, Rasta grow pretty fast for me.

I can only tell ya what I do: I rarely test N/P, I have minimal algae growth. I feed heavily, I do dose K+, Alk, Ca, Mag and Lugols. I feed a slurry of foods and sponge and acropower.

Tank runs under a Hydra 52, the Rasta are placed all over the tank, as they grow and spread and I move them about. Some colonies are up high some lower in the tank. The attached image is of a larger colony low in the tank, left hand side.

Mine are currently recovering from a tank move so coloration is not optimal, but they will color back up. I have never noticed an active feeding response from Rasta, I have offered pellets, next am going to start some reefroids.

Yours have stunning coloration, that is what I am shooting for.

 

[Desmond]

I started with 6 3 months ago.
They are growing well for me. They sit higher in my tank and a good flow going across them. Your ones don't look fully open compared to mine.

 

[Desmond]

 

[Brandon42]

it could be the coraline, it wasnt a rasta but i had bam bam zoas that started as 3 polyps then one day 2. there was algae covering the base of the frag plug and once i hit that with a toothbrush i soon had 3 more polyps starting. if the coraline is over the base it may be blocking these new polyps from opening or even starting.

 

[joshporksandwich]

Every tank is different. My 125g they grow very slow but in my frag tank they're weeds. Try moving them higher.