Zoa polyps not growing...

[Scottrshoe]

My zoas are definitely getting more heads on them, but it does not seem like the polyps are getting very big...I see pics of zoas in other tanks, and the heads seem to be much larger than mine, or perhaps it is the photography. Even between my own zoas, some have larger heads than others...is this a normal variation between varieties?

Also, I know that zoas have an oral disc...but I have never before seen one actually eat anything. I caught a snapshot of this one today...not sure what it is eating, but nom nom nom...

 

[keatonmjenkins]

Looks like it could be pooping and zoa heads start out small and grow to their adult form. So it’s normal to see baby heads. Usually 1 head every 1-2 weeks.

 

[Scottrshoe]

Looks like it could be pooping and zoa heads start out small and grow to their adult form. So it’s normal to see baby heads. Usually 1 head every 1-2 weeks.

I guess I never considered that they poop...through their mouths...lol

 

[Daniel92481]

Zoas come in different sizes. The bigger polyps could be a form of palythoas. That’s a cool color yellow you have!

 

[EricR]

I feel like I'm in the same boat -- zoas spreading but heads not getting as big as some I see in LFS DT,,, and palys even bigger.

I never noticed the "excretion" happening but when I look back at old pics, I have some that seem like they're always expelling stuff:

 

[kevgib67]

Mine shrink when they are growing new polyps and then go back to normal size. I’ve found better health and quicker growth from adding Lugol’s iodine, two drops twice a week. Perhaps yours are really busy growing new polyps.

 

[Daniel92481]

I feel like I'm in the same boat -- zoas spreading but heads not getting as big as some I see in LFS DT,,, and palys even bigger.

I never noticed the "excretion" happening but when I look back at old pics, I have some that seem like they're always expelling stuff:

They definitely excrete. Long and stringy from their mouths.

 

[James5214]

I have noticed mine all vary. But they do tend to close up when producing new heads. like my sunny D was closed up but it popped out 3 new heads. Same as my Duncan I thought something was wrong but it has 4 new heads coming off of it. And yes they poop through the mouth. Mine do that often since I target feed them.

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

The zoa looks healthy, it should gain some color though, it may be on the pale side whats your n03 and p04?

 

[Daniel92481]

The zoa looks healthy, it should gain some color though, it may be on the pale side whats your n03 and p04?

Man those utter chaos are on fire. What’s your N and P’s at?

 

[Scottrshoe]

Zoas come in different sizes. The bigger polyps could be a form of palythoas. That’s a cool color yellow you have

Thanks! I took that shot during the whiter period of my lighting cycle.. it is normally a lot oranger than that...it's an Oompa Loompa...lol.

 

[Brit’s Fish]

Mine shrink when they are growing new polyps and then go back to normal size. I’ve found better health and quicker growth from adding Lugol’s iodine, two drops twice a week. Perhaps yours are really busy growing new polyps.

I’m interested in your method. Are you dosing the iodine directly into your system? What size system do you have? I have similar issues to OP.

 

[Daniel92481]

Thanks! I took that shot during the whiter period of my lighting cycle.. it is normally a lot oranger than that...it's an Oompa Loompa...lol.

Oh nice! I would have never guessed Oompa Loompas with that lighting. Neat!

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

Man those utter chaos are on fire. What’s your N and P’s at?

Low actually p04 .02+/- .01& n03 is around 5 -10

 

[Scottrshoe]

The zoa looks healthy, it should gain some color though, it may be on the pale side whats your n03 and p04?

I am having issues with my N and P...right now my nitrates are 2 and phosphate is 0...

I over feed the tank, but also have some chaeto in the refugium. I have been reluctant to start dosing, but I may need to.

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

I’m interested in your method. Are you dosing the iodine directly into your system? What size system do you have? I have similar issues to OP.

I dose iodide everyday, 1 drop per 50g and maintain an iodine level between 75-95mg/l

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

I am having issues with my N and P...right now my nitrates are 2 and phosphate is 0...

I over feed the tank, but also have some chaeto in the refugium. I have been reluctant to start dosing, but I may need to.

Thats what I was getting to..

 

[kevgib67]

I’m interested in your method. Are you dosing the iodine directly into your system? What size system do you have? I have similar issues to OP.

Yes I dose 2 drops Lugol’s twice a week. Before I added corals I was looking at videos about the corals I wanted and came upon one with a beautiful zoa garden that he attributed to adding iodine. My tank is 32g and my nutrients run high even with weekly 12.5% WCs. No3 20 and po4 .1.

 

[Scottrshoe]

Oh nice! I would have never guessed Oompa Loompas with that lighting. Neat!

with a little more blue light

 

[Daniel92481]

Low actually p04 .02+/- .01& n03 is around 5 -10

Awesome man. Sounds like that range is good for your zoas bright coloration for sure.