Purple People Eater Problem

[ErikH]

I noticed mine did that when they really started to bud. I lost the main polyp, but ended up with 3 new ones. It may be from the stress of budding. I always kept mine at the bottom with moderate flow. Are you spot feeding??

I was thinking the exact same thing.

[Rychek]

Well, I moved the frag to the sand last night so it was away from the vast majority of possible irritators and it appears to be doing better. hopefully the polyps will fill out and look normal again over the next few days. Time will tell.

[ErikH]

I have mine on a rock just above my sand. No asterinia stars bothering it?

[Rychek]

I checked it over last night when I moved it. Didn't see anything on it.

[Rychek]

These PPEs still look pitiful. One of the new polyps has opened though. The other two are looking about ready to open as well. Hopefully the big polyps will recover.

[stoneroller]

Not sure why you should be spot feeding them. My understanding is that Zoanthus do not actively feed and I don't see mine respond to food like a Palythoa does. I think your polyps are irritated by something. Have a held them in front of a powerhead (or the turkey baster blasting method) to make sure there are no pests or detritus?

I keep mine about half way up in moderate current.

[Rychek]

PPEs are actually Protopalythoas and do respond well to occasional feedings. I've shaken them off a few times, but haven't held them in front of a power head or used the baster on them. I've inspected them multiple times for pests and haven't seen any.

[stoneroller]

PPE and other people eaters are Zoanthus gigantus.
http://www.zoaid.com/index.php?modul...g2_itemId=2459

Protopalys accumulate sand particles in the stalks like these blue protos:

Regardless, there are times that polyps just don't make it and melt away. I have found that finding a good spot and leaving them alone is the best thing to do, unless of course you see a pest bothering them or detritus building up. You may want to watch them at night and see if any night-time visitors show up.

[Rychek]

I stand corrected, thanks. I've moved them back onto a rock so there's not chance my blenny can hit them with sand. I inspected them for pests again and I saw a brown hair looking thing lying across the skirt of one (it wasn't coming from the mouth though). I'll see if anything shows up tonight after the lights go out.