White Filaments on Base of Acro

[dangalang]

I noticed some white filaments coming from the base of my Vivid Confetti acro. They appear to be coming out of the newly budding polyps forming at the base.

Any idea what it is? Stress, feeding response, defense mechanism, pest?

https://imgur.com/a/SDLHHZE

 

[tribbitt]

Those are mesenterial filaments

They are part of the coral, it’s the “digestive organ” which also has a bunch of nematocysts (sting cells). It could be trying to sting more space for itself to encrust, or something may be bothering it

Typically acropora don’t use them for feeding when they look like that

 

[dangalang]

Those are mesenterial filaments

They are part of the coral, it’s the “digestive organ” which also has a bunch of nematocysts (sting cells). It could be trying to sting more space for itself to encrust, or something may be bothering it

Typically acropora don’t use them for feeding when they look like that

Thank you!

 

[JVU]

Agree, likely mesenterial filaments for defense/aggression. Assuming you can see them coming from polyp mouths (even small ones).

 

[Darkxerox]

Mine blast nearby coralline algae for new territory like mentioned above.