palys not opening

[ricordianut]

hey all i need some zoo experts here i have a big frag of one of my joker -palys and for some reason for 2 days its been closed previously it opend as soon as the attinics poped on all polyps are still full and healthy but they wont open what could be the cause of it

 

[flricordia]

Until one of the zoa experts replies I will give my thoughts. It could be one of a number of things. Could be a worm, nudi (though I don't know if nudis bother Jokers or not-I am pretty sure jokers are zoanthus, never seen one of them feed, so maybe affected by them), maybe an astrena star or nearby irritant such as coral stinging, toxic sponge that popped up, etc.
One of my jokers was not opening for a few days so I injected it with iodine and it has opened and stayed open since.
Here is the thread on it though you may have seen it already.

https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18295

 

[Hypertek99]

Sometimes zoanthids close up for a few days, weeks, or months and open back up. As long as it's not melting and the polyps are still bubbly. No just to make sure i would check for pests as that can cause them to close up too.

 

[ricordianut]

will do guys i think it might of had a that my metal halide was on to long but i checked for pest and saw no i am going to do a iodine dip and place them in lower light

 

[flricordia]

Jokers in my experience do better in high light. I have 3 frags all under direct MH. I have tried them under less and they do not hold their color or grow as well. Maybe just mine though.