Purple Snowflake Polyps

[bpark32]

Hey everybody! I have a small frag of some purple snowflake polyps that aren't taking off as they should. There is something in the tank eating them, I think. I had some Green star polyps as well, and they are completely gone now. The purple snowflakes disappear, and then come back slowly to look like they're gonna propagate and then disappear again. I have a 55gal with T5HO and and actinic fixture. 2 clowns, 2 bangaii cardinals, 4 green chromis, a spotted tail (Melanurus) wrasse, a couple blue damsels, and a skunk cleaner shrimp. There are snails and hermits in the tank for the janitorial duties, and a couple of "Halloween" hermit crabs (orange stripes on legs), and some emerald crabs (5).
I really want these to grow and thrive. Any help on the matter is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[revsgirl]

:bump2:

 

[skinz78]

Can you post a pic of them?

Have you inspected them closely for nudibranch's? They can look just like the polyps and you have to really look for them when the polyps are closed up.

 

[franklypre]

If you find out what is eating them please don't get rid of it, I would like to breed whatever will eat these things. They plague many SPS reefs FYI.

 

[caudill187]

I've had similar species do this under low nutrient, high light, high alk conditions. It may just be that the environment is not quite nourishing enough for them to flourish, yet they survive, being the adaptable creatures that they are. I think sometimes the growth pattern you describe is normal for some species under some conditions, not necessarily, but possibly, a pest.

 

[bpark32]

Can you post a pic of them?

Have you inspected them closely for nudibranch's? They can look just like the polyps and you have to really look for them when the polyps are closed up.

Never heard of them. Well do some research n get back to you. Thanks!

As far as a picture, I haven't found a camera setting that gives clear visibility. Still working on that.

Thanks for the input/suggestions!

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[bpark32]

I've had similar species do this under low nutrient, high light, high alk conditions. It may just be that the environment is not quite nourishing enough for them to flourish, yet they survive, being the adaptable creatures that they are. I think sometimes the growth pattern you describe is normal for some species under some conditions, not necessarily, but possibly, a pest.

I have super high calcium, but other than that all levels appear to be good n stable. Salinity goes from .023-.025 during cycles between bi-weekly water changes of 10%. (Tested using a sea test float hygrometer)

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