Mensenital filament ?

[LOVEROCK]

 

[LOVEROCK]

Are those mensenital filaments on tip of the coral ?

 

[PicassoClown04]

Are those mensenital filaments on tip of the coral ?

Those are it’s polyps extending. A great sign of a healthy sps. Mensenterial filaments are an anemone thing

 

[LOVEROCK]

From my reading early today sps can throw them too

 

[driftin]

From my reading early today sps can throw them too

They can, but I agree that your photo looks like its polyps. Mesenterial filaments look thinner and stringier, like think white hairs.

 

[LOVEROCK]

Okay thanks guys just wasn’t really sure as I’m it’s my first sps re try in a year

 

[Soren]

Those are it’s polyps extending. A great sign of a healthy sps. Mensenterial filaments are an anemone thing

Are they an anemone thing? I do know I have read about many types of corals having them as the main means of warfare (instead of or along with the chemical warfare).

I agree that this thread shows the polyps on the Acropora rather than mesenterial filaments.

...also, it seems like most research indicates a likely link between feeding responses and mesenterial filaments, so maybe it is indirect warefare in eating the surrounding corals?

 

[PicassoClown04]

Are they an anemone thing? I do know I have read about many types of corals having them as the main means of warfare (instead of or along with the chemical warfare).

I agree that this thread shows the polyps on the Acropora rather than mesenterial filaments.

...also, it seems like most research indicates a likely link between feeding responses and mesenterial filaments, so maybe it is indirect warefare in eating the surrounding corals?

The only time Ive heard anything extending mensenterial filaments specifically is anemones. In other corals theyre usually called sweeper tentacles, Im not sure if those are the same thing

 

[Soren]

The only time Ive heard anything extending mensenterial filaments specifically is anemones. In other corals theyre usually called sweeper tentacles, Im not sure if those are the same thing

Interesting, I had it in my mind that they were the same thing, but they definitely are not upon further research. Sweeper tentacles are apparently for warfare and have no mouth, while mesenterial filaments apparently come from the stomach and are used in feeding.
...also apparently some corals do indeed have mesenterial filaments, sometimes as well as sweeper tentacles.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Very good sign with polyps.
Note your current parameter readings and try to maintain those values

 

[LOVEROCK]

Very good sign with polyps.
Note your current parameter readings and try to maintain those values

7.1 alk: 0 phosphates (Hanna ULR) 0 nitrate registering , im also getting some signs of white tips, which may be from setting them up higher up in tank (Newly acquired corals), Ati T5 6 bulbs on a 60 frag (48x24x12)" . Lowered the dimmable lights to 75 percent today. undetectable nutrients are worrying me a bit, considering turning off skimmer.. and might add some Aminos acid, but i do have film algae growing.

 

[vetteguy53081]

7.1 alk: 0 phosphates (Hanna ULR) 0 nitrate registering , im also getting some signs of white tips, which may be from setting them up higher up in tank (Newly acquired corals), Ati T5 6 bulbs on a 60 frag (48x24x12)" . Lowered the dimmable lights to 75 percent today. undetectable nutrients are worrying me a bit, considering turning off skimmer.. and might add some Aminos acid, but i do have film algae growing.

Write these down and save info to maintain this

 

[Greg Hiller]

Yup some corals have mensenterial filaments. Hydnophora are notorious for them. I've seen Hydnophora digest 2" diameter chunks of corals they get too close to. And then there are sweeper tentacles, Galaxea is notorious for them...sometimes a good 5-8 inches away. I have seen Acropora put out what I would call mensenterial filaments as well, but not common. For sure that first photo is just polyp extension.

 

[jda]

I would need to see a better photo. It could be mesenterial filaments. Acros have them and most corals do. With acropora, it has always been bad in my experience, but some say they are just to feed. It could also just be long polyps.

 

[JPergamo]

Mesenterial filaments

 

[vetteguy53081]

It is filamemts and try to pick a few off my hand or tweezers. Why ?
Mesenterial Filaments are the inside guts of a coral that some species can expel onto nearby adversaries. Mesenterial filaments contain nematocysts as well as digestive enzymes and can do significant harm by coating the target for hours.
Eventually the coral retracts these filaments leaving behind a clearer substrate to grow upon. It is thought that mesenterial filaments used in this way are used both for aggressive expansion as well as nutrition for the coral when they are withdrawn back into the coral.

Often times this behavior happens at night so it is entirely possible to have two corals situated close to one another be fine but when you wake up the next day one of them is completely dead... a victim of a mesenterial filament attack.
Almost every type of coral is capable of extending mesenterial filaments but some are more aggressive than others. They are commonly seen in favia, favites, pectinia, hydnophora, and many types of chalice corals.