ever witness morphs w/ Discosoma colonies?

Justin74 · #1 08/14/2005, 08:36 PM

This is very interesting, at least to me. But I have 3 individual mushroom colonies within my current tank. But only 2 in are involved in this. The first being a puple with light blue speckling and splashes through it. The second your typical green striped mushroom.

What happend is my purple due to the rock they were on at the time encroached in the middle of the green colony. Because of my past experience with the green ones I was concerned of allopathy so moved the purple ones away, but, not before some already touched down with the green colony. Leaving 2 footholds behind, undeveloped.

Now wathching the purple ones develop closely wondering how they would react after seeing the green ones sting other mushrooms i figured they'd whither away. But seemed to not to be affected at all as they developed theyre caps and occasionally make contact witht the green colony it is now within. Not only did I notice no ill affects, but now bring me to this observation.

The purple ones blue splash/speckles are taking more of a linear splash effect and has no more blue pigment but green! It appears that its beginning to take on characteristics of its adopted colony!?!This is also happening to the green ones as well, when they start to develope, theyre green stripes start out looking like a speratic splash just like the purple ones, then mature to there normal stripes. Ive had several generations of the green ones develope what I thought to be normal, but ever since this interaction took place, the coloring is weird and you almost have to guess what its going to develope as it gets older. Has anyone witnessed this before?

-Justin

Justin74 · #2 10/01/2005, 03:49 PM

Still wondering, posted some pics in reguards to what Im talking about to better describe. Some thoughts or if theres someone who know about this that'd be great

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=680222

-Justin

Justin74 · #3 10/03/2005, 02:05 PM

or know someone, who knows someone who knows?

-Justin

Blastomussaman · #4 10/04/2005, 02:21 AM

It is very common for discosomas to morph with your lighting schemes and/or environmental factors. Not only do they morph color, pattern as well. Keep them long enough, some smooth ones become bubbly.

Keep in mind corals and shrooms expel zoox that are taken in by others. This is also a contributor in the color morphosis.

Justin74 · #5 10/04/2005, 04:14 AM

Definately not any changes due to light or environment, Im pretty familiar to the various responses/changes under different lighting and tank perams and agree those are common reactions(ie.color intensity,pattern intensity)

Quote:

Originally posted by Blastomussaman

Keep in mind corals and shrooms expel zoox that are taken in by others. This is also a contributor in the color morphosis.

Yes, this was a speculation of mine as well as at least one other that responded. But as far as a totally different color and pattern being common, I think that might be debateable. Ive heard talk of the process of expelling zoox and being taken in by others but there isnt much more than that, not very many examples or in depth discussions or research thats been made public. As you see from the time I posted there hasnt been alot of people commenting on this.

Could you please explain or point me in the direction to read or see these events commonly taking place? Ive read some about GARFS experiences with sarcophytons but not anything on shrooms. Thanks for responding.

-Justin