From: steve@celia.UUCP (Steve Tyree)
Newsgroups: alt.aquaria
Subject: Re: (M)Spawning of Trachyphyllia Geoffroyi
Keywords: reef breeding stony corals marine
Date: 7 Apr 92 22:29:49 GMT
Reply-To: celia!steve@usc.edu (Steve Tyree)
Organization: Rhythm & Hues, Inc., Hollywood


 While searching the containers I put the developed coral eggs in, I have
found 2 organisms which might correspond to developing spat (early coral
form). The descriptions of these lifeforms will follow. This information is
being sent to the net to keep anyone interested, informed and up to date with
what I have seen. I am fairly certain that #1 is not coral but #2 shows some
possibilities. I am still searching and will note any other likely candidates
I find.
 Organism #1 - Thousands in one container and a few in another. Semitrans-
               parent disk with some detail and a spot in circle. I dont 
               think that this is spat. Their are to many and they appear to
               be developing from very small disks, like about 10 microns.
               Current size is 10 - 200 microns. They also have a very long
               thread sticking out from the center.
 Organism #2 - Like I previously stated their are thousands of protozoans in
               these containers. Their is definitely more then one type of 
               protozoan. Two types are brownish/red and appear as 250 micron
               sized wormlike slugs. Another type is white and like a slug.
               Some have pointed ends and appear to eat, others have rounded 
               ends and may not eat. In a 20 gallon tank I have which has been
               under 24 hour lighting, groups of protozoans are turning black-
               ish on the tank walls. When I examine these under the micro-
               scope they appear to be transforming or mutating into different
               forms which are sphere shaped. I have seen spheres form in the
               center with the ends protruding out. Also some have developed
               extensions protruding out. Why they like to do this in groups
               is beyond me. I have also seen sphere shaped protozoans made
               from the same body material that the reddish brown protozoans
               have. These could be the completely transformed protozoan or
               a new protozoan. I will list the options below.

               1 - Sphere shape protozoan is a new protozoan and not spat.
               2 - Transformation could actually be the protozoans under attack
                   by some type of predator.
               3 - Protozoans could be dying or transforming into another non-
                   coral stage which would mean that they are not coral.
               4 - Sphere shape could be transforming of planulae to spat. Still
                   to early to tell. The development into spat could have been
                   slowed by inadequate illumination, this is the only tank 
                   which has 24 hour lighting. Will put other tanks on 24 light
                   cycle. 

Note - The blooming protozoans has made finding possible planulae or spat very
       difficult. This is why I am posting this information for possible review
       or comment. Also it may help current or future coral breeders.

 Steve Tyree - Practicing Reef Breeder
Newsgroups: alt.aquaria