Loss of Green Fluorescence

[Dana Riddle]

The first corals were added to the new lab's tank yesterday. In particular, I picked an Acropora with whole body green fluorescence. Upon placing it in the tank, and illuminating with blue LEDs, there was green fluorescence in the polyps, but not the branches. This raises at least two possibilities: 1. The branch fluorescence was lost. 2. The excitation source (blue LED) is different from the store's LEDs, and the fluorescent protein is still there but not apparent. Interestingly, green fluorescence in the polyps is readily apparent, even in blue/white LED light. I'll get the spectrometers out and report back soon.

 

[Dana Riddle]

Here's the spectral quality of the light falling on the once green Acropora. As I suspected, the spectrum peaks at about 450nm, but this should be sufficient to excite the fluorescent proteins - but it does not. I suspect the coral lost fluorescence due to stress of transport, but I need to drive over to the LFS where I got it and measure light quality there. This usually takes a lot of smooth talking if they're even receptive to the idea at all.

 

[TbyZ]

This usually takes a lot of smooth talking if they're even receptive to the idea at all.

If they don't play ball just threaten them with the old "do you know who I am?" threat.

 

[reeferfoxx]

This situation has happened to me with every acro placed in my tank. Could be different water parameters? Did you place them at the bottom for par acclimation?

 

[madweazl]

There was green florescence yesterday but it isnt visible 24 (ish) hours later? Is 450nm not low enough for things to fluoresce well?

 

[Dana Riddle]

If they don't play ball just threaten them with the old "do you know who I am?" threat.

My good name and $6 will get me a cup of coffee at Starbuck's.

 

[Dana Riddle]

This situation has happened to me with every acro placed in my tank. Could be different water parameters? Did you place them at the bottom for par acclimation?

Could be. I'll buy a coral and check 'bag water' when I get home. My experience with color loss is different. When I Wildlife, we would purchase corals from aquarists getting out of the hobby. I would take the PAR meter with me, and match their new light environment with their old, and we didn't see color loss. With that said, I can't blame light intensity for the color loss in my current case.

 

[Dana Riddle]

There was green florescence yesterday but it isnt visible 24 (ish) hours later? Is 450nm not low enough for things to fluoresce well?

Quite possible. Perhaps the store's lighting used 390 and 420nm LEDs. I'll check. Future plans include looking at fluorescence excitation using a linear variable filter with the Ocean Optics spectrometer. So much to do...