Have I Got a Challenge...

mkutsch · Feb 26, 2017

Hey all. So, I'm at a loss. Everyone knows that when introduced to a drastically different environment, zoanthids can change, but! Not nearly to the extent of what is happening here. Also, I've had these things for a long time.
So, I've got two palys and some zoas on a frag. And just recently I've less and less zoas but palys multiplying at an alarming rate; 5 in the last two weeks. And then, I noticed something shocking: the palys took the place of the zoas!! So just to make sure my eyes weren't in need of repair I isolate a zoa nearest to a paly. 2days later, low and behold, a paly took the place of the zoa!!! What is this black magic?? (Also, I dissected the isolated one to make sure it was indeed a paly, and same with another zoa).
Thanks.

A. grandis · Feb 26, 2017

Normal. Nature taking it's corse.
Nothing to discuss here.
It's the way it is.
Some species are stronger and can dominate others in the ocean and in our tanks.
Grandis.

mkutsch · Feb 26, 2017

You sure? I'm talkin change in species, so it

mkutsch · Feb 26, 2017

kinda seems a bit far fetched to be normal... I cannot find another recorded case of such happenings, so does this mean that a Yasha shrimp goby can turn into a flaming prawn goby? (Couldn't think of anything else...)

A. grandis · Feb 27, 2017

One took the place of the other meaning that one died and the other grew on it's place, right?
No black magic there at all.
Grandis.

mkutsch · Feb 27, 2017

You misunderstand, it literally changed into a different looking animal, not died. I cut up the stalk to see if a new paly just grew over a zoa, but this was not the case. It... morphed, I suppose, into something that looks totally different.

mkutsch · Feb 27, 2017

Also, you are from Hawaii? My uncle and cousin live there.

A. grandis · Feb 27, 2017

mkutsch said:
You misunderstand, it literally changed into a different looking animal, not died. I cut up the stalk to see if a new paly just grew over a zoa, but this was not the case. It... morphed, I suppose, into something that looks totally different.

If doesn't look like either one it probably morphed.
Pictures?
Grandis.

A. grandis · Feb 27, 2017

mkutsch said:
Also, you are from Hawaii? My uncle and cousin live there.

Yeap, I'm from Oahu. Cool!

Grandis.

mkutsch · Feb 28, 2017

Yeah, I'll get some when I get home.

A. grandis · Mar 1, 2017

Did you get home yet?

Grandis.

KTownReefer · Mar 1, 2017

A. grandis said:
Did you get home yet?

Grandis.

Guess not. I had a paly zoa frag that is now a paly colony(not magic)

mkutsch · Mar 1, 2017

Sorry, Grandis, I had to visit my brother at the hospital--got hit by a drunk driver...

mkutsch · Mar 1, 2017

KTownReefer said:
Guess not. I had a paly zoa frag that is now a paly colony(not magic)

Okay, but did they CHANGE from Zoa to Paly, or did the palys just grow over and overpopulated the zoas?

mkutsch · Mar 1, 2017

Oh, and Grandis, since I can't distinguish between zoa and play I may be wrong about the initial form; the may all be palys: is it possible for a paly to change its whole form and grow a stalk and stuff? Like, in a day or two?

A. grandis · Mar 1, 2017

mkutsch said:
Sorry, Grandis, I had to visit my brother at the hospital--got hit by a drunk driver...

Oh man! Go take care of that! I'm so sorry to hear such thing!
Hope he is going to be fine!!!

Grandis.

A. grandis · Mar 1, 2017

mkutsch said:
Oh, and Grandis, since I can't distinguish between zoa and play I may be wrong about the initial form; the may all be palys: is it possible for a paly to change its whole form and grow a stalk and stuff? Like, in a day or two?

Would be great if you could show some pictures before I answer anything.
It's going to be much easier and precise that way.
Please take picture of the 3 forms that you're talking about...

Grandis.