Over-Inflated Coral equals inadequate light??

Darryn Lyon · Mar 18, 2017

So generally speaking, if a piece of coral is really expanded and ballooned huge, is this a sign that it's happy with it's situation, or is it trying to increase its surface area for light exposure because the light is inadequate, similar to maybe a zoanthid or flower might extend upward towards the light?

cubbyman60 · Mar 20, 2017

Following/Bump

bigjoker208 · Mar 20, 2017

From my experience, if the light isn't strong enough for a euphyllia they will begin to lose their zooxanthellae and bleach.

I always attribute how euphyllia expands to the flow, if it is undergoing stress and/or growth. In higher flow systems, I have seen euphyllias be a bit retracted and closely packed. In low to moderate flow, I noticed that they would extend and inflate themselves quite a bit more. It there is an irritant or a big change in the tank, I have seen them retract. I have also seen them retract a bit more when they are getting ready to split. I don't have any data to back this up, just what I have noticed. Maybe someone can provide more information on the subject, hope this helps.

revhtree · Mar 20, 2017

A lot of time LPS will "balloon" or puff up when it's time to feed as well.

Indeed zoas and palys will "reach" when there isn't adequate lighting.

revhtree · Mar 20, 2017

Oh and usually it means they are happy.

revhtree · Mar 20, 2017

What kind of lights are you running on what size tank and how high off the water?

melypr1985 · Mar 20, 2017

I have mostly seen them puff up when they have found something to eat. There have been other times I've seen it and they have died a few weeks later. It wasn't in my tank, so I"m not entirely sure of the cause of those times. I imagine flow and lighting have a great deal to do with it though.

maroun.c · Mar 20, 2017

Depends on the coral. Zoas will elongate as if reaching out for more light. Lps might puff up while or afyer feeding. Some of mine puff up after a water change. Colors can also help u tell if a coral is getting enough light ir not

eatbreakfast · Mar 20, 2017

Many times LPS will puff up in low flow. Think of the current bringing little bits of meaty food. In higher flow more 'bits' get pushed to the coral, in low flow there is less. So since there are less feeding opportunities it will inflate to create a larger target and increase it's feeding opportunities.

ahiggins · Mar 20, 2017

I had a trachy that would balloon up when the lights first came on. Never knew what it meant but I got rid of him before I found out...

Skydvr · Mar 20, 2017

melypr1985 said:
I have mostly seen them puff up when they have found something to eat.

There are two different versions of puffed up that I have seen from my Acans. The swolen when they have taken in food and more of a balooning where the polyps look like they are inflated and the tissue is a bit thinner looking. In the second case they are much larger than normal.

I think I tend to see this more with lower flow areas and changes in lighting. I have a couple that are doing this right now, but I have so much going on with the tank right now that I really can't make a guess as to what is going on. New light, low flow due to having to reconfigure some things to prevent a leak while I rebuild the sump, some chemistry issues, not enough filtration to feed as frequently, and not able to dose as much phyto as I normally do.... really hoping I can get all of these issues sorted before the week is out.

GoJimmy · Mar 20, 2017

This is my elegance coral. It is almost always inflated and it's polyps are super elongated in a pretty high flow tank. It eats really well and almost tripled in size in 9 months. Puffy is good!