New Zoa won’t open. Help Please

ScottyD36 · Nov 1, 2020

So I bought two new Zoa. I used the same acclimation process/coral dip. I placed them both in the same spot in the tank. The one I am having problems with barely opened then closed back up and hasn’t opened up in days. I moved it now in the tank to higher up to see if it needs more lighting. I am confused because two Zoas at the same time got placed in same spot and one is doing amazing and this other one just doesn’t want to open. Pics below are of them. The green Zoa on right is the one it came with. The one I am having trouble with was parked right in front of them making a triangle. I am interested to hear peoples suggestions. Thanks in advance

drewwCh · Nov 1, 2020

Sometimes all you can do is wait it out. zoas can be weird and not all zoas react in the same manner to changes in its environment. if it's not melting, then just leave it.

it has only been a few days, my RPEs opened after 2 weeks and my GPEs have barely begun to open after almost a month. as long as it's still alive, just leave it imo. btw did you get yours online or locally?

LxHowler · Nov 1, 2020

I've had similar issues in the past with zoa's. In all of my cases Ive just left them alone and eventually they've opened, some take longer than others. I'd try to avoid moving them as the changing light will probably make them take longer to open, I had a frag of zoa's take almost 2 weeks to open once.
As long as your perameters are good and they don't show signs of dying I would just leave them to acclimate and hopefully they will open.

ScottyD36 · Nov 1, 2020

Andrew C. said:
Sometimes all you can do is wait it out. zoas can be weird and not all zoas react in the same manner to changes in its environment. if it's not melting, then just leave it.

it has only been a few days, my RPEs opened after 2 weeks and my GPEs have barely begun to open after almost a month. as long as it's still alive, just leave it imo. btw did you get yours online or locally?

Got them off line.

drewwCh · Nov 1, 2020

ScottyD36 said:
Got them off line.

if you got them offline then it shouldn't take too long for them to open, but just be prepared for the worst. good luck!

ScottyD36 · Nov 2, 2020

Little update. One has opened up since moving it higher up. Hopefully the rest to start opening up.

Llyod276 · Nov 19, 2020

Oops. Guess what I dont acclimate the frags, nope not at all. Just plunk them I and with an hour everything opens. The only coral ever to die on me was a purple anthelia. Dunno what happened, went on vacay, had a buddy (who smoked himself stoopid) watching them and bam, they're ticked and 2 days later dead... gone poof! Too bad I prefer coral that move around in the current. Hence why I'm not into sps. Been looking to get some torches, but go(dd)amn the prices.... so yeah idk why you'd acclimate zoas they do just as well when you toss em in. Then again, mine get ticked because a fish swims too close and they hide...