star polyp coral

[psumba]

I need someone's experience with star polyps.
When they grow - do they grow with a purple base, or white they change into purple?
Right now my star polyp - when you look at him when the polyp's are extended looks fine.
But then when the polyps are retracted, there are psuedo-translucent (white) tubes in some areas.
I cant tell if its a sign that he is dying in those areas, its a parasite, or its extra growth on top of itself.
Any ideas?

 

[mlm]

MIne grow with a light colored base and then turn to purple as time goes on.

 

[jonthefb]

mie are similar to mlm's, the tips of the new growth areas are white, but the mat then turns purple, and the polyps emerge. perhaps you have some kind of sponge growing in between your polyps???
good luck
jon

 

[flydan]

Hey,
Mine have purple bases that spread onto ajoining rock. The only time I have seen them white was when I was cutting off some frags for a friend. A small piece fell to the bottom of my tank and I left it there to see if it would spread. It stayed white for about a week, even with polyps fully extended. It is now purple, but lighter than the stuff up higher on the lr.
HTH,
Dan'l

 

[iechy]

I have some GSP that spread like crazy and the new growth at the edges which are spreading are usually very pale purple to white in color and usually turns to purple as it grows.

 

[wrassecal]

Originally posted by psumba
But then when the polyps are retracted, there are psuedo-translucent (white) tubes in some areas.

Mine have some of those translucent white tubes also. Wish I could tell you what they were but I don't know, but mine are harmless anyway. I thought maybe some type of tube worm cohabitating

 

[hondo]

the edge of the growth is white but the mat is mainly purple. I also have some sponge growth in the GSP which is really only visable when the polyps are not out.