hammer coral lost one tentacle

[coryscritch]

so everything is looking good in my tank even the hammer coral. all parameter are good.

i was feeding my clownfish and noticed a tentacle floating around in the current. the hammer looks good so I'm not sure if this is a normal. 

anybody else have this problem? 

[HarryPotter]

Probably the clownfish being naughty. Normal, no. But probably not a problem unless the clown is particularly mean. 

[vegasgundog]

Some times I disturb the aquarium, it seems my hammer casts off a tip. I'll see a fluorescent blob floating around. Nothing ever has been wrong. 

[specore]

Fairly common.  I think they twisted up and break off.  Could be current, fish or hands doing it.  No big deal.  

[Aurortpa]

This can happen sometimes—one theory is that it’s a way they do chem warfare.  Like dropping bombs.

[coryscritch]

Makes sense. I have a a few other corals close by and the clownfish is taking interest in the hammer now. Thanks for the responses! 

[sapling]

So I actually asked this a couple months ago and got the same reply, and looked like the thread was answered well, but just to add

 

a quote from advance aquarist 

 

“...Borneman (2001) also mentions that the tips of sweeper tentacles may stick to the substrate and break away at times, which can then give rise to new colonies. And, these tips may also pinch off at times and drift around an aquarium where they can stick to other surfaces. Borneman suggests that this may be a novel means of asexual reproduction and/or a means of defense, as the tips are packed with stinging cells and can damage other corals they may come into contact with...”

 

https://www.advancedaquarist.com/2012/10/corals

 

I came across this while reading today and thought to add to this topic,