Turbinaria help?

[Rob Martin]

Hi all,
I've had a Yellow scroll Coral for a couple on months now but in the last couple of weeks i haven't seen the polyps extend to feed much.I'd assumed it was down to Nitrate ( 5 - 10-ppm) which i've been working to reduce,earlier today hower,i noticed the tiniest of crabs on it,same colour as the coral & can only be 3-5mm max across the carapace,before i could think of catching it or getting a picture,it retreated down one of the polyp tubes!!! Could this be a parasite that will damage the coral?:confused:
Thanks in advance
Rob.

[ollski]

I don't know mate but I have had one for a month or so and despite the polyps being out in the shop I had never seen them out at home. Woke up at 2a.m this morning and had a quick glance at it under the living room light....polyps fully extended and looking spot on!.

[Rob Martin]

Thanks for the reply Ollski,i'll have to do a sneaky peak in the early hours,i had read it could be a water quality issue,but i only have a minor nitrate reading! Then couldn't believe when i saw the tiny crab,just hope it doesn't turn out to be harmful cos i doubt if i could catch it!
Rob

[JRfowler]

The coral is a nocturnal feeder guys, extending its polyps at nite in an attempt to catch food, if u want to get it to open during the day try adding some cyclopeeze powder (a tiny pinch) to your aquarium in high flow, give it 20 - 30 mins and the coral should respond.

I feed mine everday after lights out and the more it is fed the longer its polyps stay out..

Good luck with them tho, stunning coral when theyre out, and keep feeding them!!

:D

[Rob Martin]

Thanks for reply JR.i will try feeding after lights out!
Rob.

[JRfowler]

Thanks for reply JR.i will try feeding after lights out!
Rob.

you will find it alot easier, I struggled to understand why I couldnt get mine to come out, then my lfs suggested doing it after lights out and adding a little cyclopeeze to tease them out worked a treat..

then u just have to fend off ur cleaner shrimps or anything else thatl try and pinch food, that includes fish!!

doing it after lights out helps as the fish arnt so interested mind.. good luck and let us know how u get on. :D

[Rob Martin]

Yeh,will do,thanks JR.
Rob.