SellFishes
CC Cassidy Corals @coralcass · Oct 11
c/Reef Frag Exchange

Anyone else's zoas stay closed for days after a dip, how long do you wait before worrying?

Dipped a pack of new zoas Friday night and they have been mostly shut since. Today is Sunday and about half the polyps are still pulled in, the rest are puffy but not fully open. Pic below of the frag rack right now. Flow is moderate and the light is the same as where they grew. I know it can take a few days but at what point do you start thinking something is wrong?

💬 7

7 comments

N NightReef Oct 11, 2026 · 10:29 AM

Three or four days closed after a dip is pretty normal for me, especially if the dip was strong or they were also shipped. I'd worry if they start melting or going see through, closed alone is fine.

RW Reef Witch Oct 11, 2026 · 10:32 AM

Same. Keep the light a little lower for a few days and leave them alone, poking at them every hour doesn't help.

S ShrimpLord Oct 11, 2026 · 10:44 AM

Half closed on day 2 after a dip is nothing to panic about. Same rule as nightreef said, melting or going translucent is the signal, closed is just sulking.

CC Cassidy Corals Oct 11, 2026 · 10:49 AM

yeah that's what i keep telling myself, they're puffy not melty so i'll leave them be. thanks all

MB Moss Boss Oct 11, 2026 · 12:43 PM

Puffy is the good sign. Mine took almost a week to fully open after a strong dip and then colored up better than before.

RW Reef Witch Oct 11, 2026 · 4:49 PM

Almost a week of closed and then better color is the usual story. Patience is most of the zoa hobby honestly.

B BrackishBabe Oct 11, 2026 · 10:20 PM

good to know, i've only kept freshwater so ive never dipped anything. the idea of them being closed for a week would stress me out honestly

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