Torch Coral Extension

[hanknmorgan]

I have a quick question about my torch coral. It looks happy and healthy, but it doesnt extend very far. I see pictures of these beautiful torches with several inch "tentacles". Mine rarely come out further than an inch to inch and a half or so. Also, they are usually still out at night. Shorter, but not retracted in much at all. Is this normal? It has been in the tank about 3 months and looked about the same the whole time. However, when I bought it from the LFS it was extended quite a bit more. I figured my expired PC bulbs may be to blame but it looks about the same now after a couple weeks under my new MH bulb. Just wondering if there is anything I can do to help it extend a little more. Thanks.

[apedroza]

Most of the time they extend when they are in feeding mode. I have one in my main tank that doesn't extend very much , but I have 2X250watt halides. The other one in my pico is under PCs and it extends several inches. I think the amount of lighting has a lot to do with it. Try target feeding some brine or mysis it may get it in feeding mode. Also be careful of those tentacles. When they extend they can sting other corlas.

[hanknmorgan]

I do feed it brine and mysis about 1 or 2 times a week. The tentacles dont seem to do anything different, but they do grab the food and pull it into it's mouth I guess. I have read about their sweeper tentacles, but I have never seen anything long coming out even at night. It looks healthy and happy and eats it just doesnt extend much.