Lobo mesenterial filaments

[VTBig053]

I just broadcast fed a little reef roids to my tank for the first time in a few weeks and my lobophyllia is completely spilling its guts. I’m not overly concerned as its completely healthy (great color, nice and full, tentacles out every night) but I am curious what caused the reaction. I feed it a little mysis once a week normally. Anyone have any insights?

Heres a few photos of it from tonight (sprry for all the blue, lights ramping down) and some of its normal state from a few days ago.

Normal


Tentacles out just after lights came on

Tentacles out at night

Mesenterial filaments tonights

Another angle of mesenterial filaments from tonight

 

[DSC reef]

The first few pics look like a typical feeding response. The other 2 could be a defense mechanism to tell the other corals they are to close.

 

[VTBig053]

The first few pics look like a typical feeding response. The other 2 could be a defense mechanism to tell the other corals they are to close.

That thought had crossed my mind, but its been next to the GSP and RFA for weeks now with no reaction. This seemed to coincide with the reef roid feeding, but I suppose that could just be coincidence.

 

[DSC reef]

Maybe try moving the coral away from its neighbors and continue your routine with reef roids.

 

[VTBig053]

Maybe try moving the coral away from its neighbors and continue your routine with reef roids.

Yeah, I actually plan on replacing the rock with GSP behind it tomorrow. I’ll reposition the lobo or the RFA at that time as well. If the lobo wants to kill some of the GSP overnight, I won’t be upset . Reef weed!

 

[DSC reef]

Don't underestimate that GSP Looking forward to the follow up. That's some nice coral you have.

 

[Dsnakes]

Do you have any shrimp that could be hunting for food? Just another possibility.

 

[SuncrestReef]

It's difficult to see exactly what your last two photos are showing. Mine looks dramatically different at night, whether feeding or not.

Day:


Night:

 

[VTBig053]

Don't underestimate that GSP Looking forward to the follow up. That's some nice coral you have.

Thank you! And never again! It’s taken over that entire rock like a Risk champion. Despite my best efforts to keep it under control, it’s conquered multiple zoa colonies, several acans, two cyphastrea, and it’s about to finish off the last two heads of what was eight heads of Duncan coral. It looks nice and flows great, but never again.

 

[VTBig053]

Do you have any shrimp that could be hunting for food? Just another possibility.

Nope, no shrimp.

 

[Dsnakes]

Nope, no shrimp.

Smart!

 

[VTBig053]

It's difficult to see exactly what your last two photos are showing. Mine looks dramatically different at night, whether feeding or not.

Day:


Night:

Let me see if I can get one with out the blue. Stand by...

 

[VTBig053]

Smart!

Food stealing little $h1t$

 

[DSC reef]

Smart!

You know it! Never gonna be in our new tank, lol

 

[VTBig053]

Okay, turned the whites up for a second. It’s definitely mesenterial filaments just not sure why it all of the sudden spewed everywhere.

 

[DSC reef]

That looks like mesenterial filaments to me.

 

[VTBig053]

You know it! Never gonna be in our new tank, lol

Chasing the GD cleaner shrimp around while trying to spot feed my LPS was the bane of my existance. The kids were bummed when he mysteriously disappeared one night. Dad was pleased to accept $10 in LFS store credit. #betterwithcocktailsauce

 

[SuncrestReef]

Wow, mine has never done that. I just did a quick search and this article mentions this behavior on corals that are bleached, but that does not appear to be the case based on your first photo. https://reefs.com/2011/07/23/when-corals-spill-their-guts/

 

[DSC reef]

Defense, competition for space, irritation,etc, are few reasons why corals throw there mesenterial filaments. Its wild for sure.

 

[Krzydmnd]

Chasing the GD cleaner shrimp around while trying to spot feed my LPS was the bane of my existance. The kids were bummed when he mysteriously disappeared one night. Dad was pleased to accept $10 in LFS store credit. #betterwithcocktailsauce

Ha! That hash tag would make a great thread about those critters that have just made you pull your hair out.