Hi All:
Two months ago, all of the coralites on this Caulastrea had polyps, which expanded. Over the past two months, most of them have died and the few that are left are shriveled. During that same time the tentacles which can be seen in the photo have been growing. The tips are the same mint green as the polyps and they all emanate from the same place on one of the stalks. They expand during the day and contract at night. They are not feeding tentacles since the feeding tentacles have white tips and emanate from the mouths of the polyps. Does anyone have an idea what these tentacles are and why this colony is dying?
Thanks,
RB
Two months ago, all of the coralites on this Caulastrea had polyps, which expanded. Over the past two months, most of them have died and the few that are left are shriveled. During that same time the tentacles which can be seen in the photo have been growing. The tips are the same mint green as the polyps and they all emanate from the same place on one of the stalks. They expand during the day and contract at night. They are not feeding tentacles since the feeding tentacles have white tips and emanate from the mouths of the polyps. Does anyone have an idea what these tentacles are and why this colony is dying?
Thanks,
RB