interesting star polup "communication?"

[weyfirstreef]

I have 3 star polup colonies, let's say A B and C, about 30 sq inches each, not physically connected but from the same original stock . Tank looks great, parameters right on, everything opened full this am as normal. I removed a large chunk of colony "A" cut it up to share with a friend. Put pieces and remaining original piece of "A" back into same tank / system. Everything else looks unchanged..... except colonies B and C which have retracted 100 percent just like A, "which would be expected for A after a heavy pruning". Colonies B And C where never touched in anyway. It has been 4 hours and they are all still retracted. I am going to change carbon and see if any effect. Just found this very interesting. Have others had similar experiences?

 

[GobyWanKenobie]

I have noticed that with my xenia and my bigger mushrooms. I think the injured piece secretes something into the water that triggers a response from the rest of them.

 

[Turbosnail]

It is a chemical thing. Corals of the same time put out certain chemical signatures so when one colony is upset it releases its signature and other corals that are the same close up to to protect themselves because they think something is wrong. I read this somewhere just don't remember where. I might have even seen it on one of the nature shows.

 

[weyfirstreef]

Nothing opened yet let's see what tomorrow brings

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[weyfirstreef]

Kind of cool really

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[Trevor]

this is pretty interesting, keep us updated

 

[dz6t]

It is a chemical thing. Corals of the same time put out certain chemical signatures so when one colony is upset it releases its signature and other corals that are the same close up to to protect themselves because they think something is wrong. I read this somewhere just don't remember where. I might have even seen it on one of the nature shows.

+1 what Chris said.
To reduce those chemicals, try running carbon to see if that will help.

 

[dannyp02908]

I have seen similar with star polyps but the opposite. I had got 2 rocks covered with them and they woul dnever open. Had them for a while. I got another small rock of the electric greens. That opened up nicely. With in hours, the other 2 colonies opened up in full. They were browned out from not opening. Now, they are a healthy green color and open as soon as the lights are on.

 

[weyfirstreef]

Everything is open including all the small pieces I made took 36 hours

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