OK so as we have no real source of infomation on NPS corals on this forum i thought i would start a Azooxanthellae coral thread (well threads later) to discuss care, diet and set ups to house this stunning, strange and totally misunderstood group of corals.
now NPS corals range include corals from the soft, LPS and almost SPS groups - i say almost as it contains a group of corals called 'octocorals' that resemble SPS in polyp size and contruction but have no hard skeleton (the name comes from the 8 tentacles on each polyp)
so this weeks coral of coice is the humble chilli
(this one isnt open)
its an indo pacific coral that is often found on coastal shelves or in murkey lagoons, as this coral is non-photosynthetic (does not feed on light and contains no zooxantheallae) it must be fed on a regular basis. Any phytoplankton, zooplankton, micro food, and brine shrimp is accepted.
it prefers to be shaded and in strong but not direct flow, extra care should be taken to avoid algae from growing on the corals surface.
Chilli's will (contrary to common misconception) open during the day IF they are in a shaded area and food is available, they also semm to like to grow upside down, this may be due to their tendency to shy away from light by growing under cave lips and ledges.
colour morphs range fom brown to yellow but its most commonly seen in red, the polyps are usually white.
common species are : A. complanatum, A. digitatum, A. fulvum, A. molle, A. sidereum but there is more then 30 known.
Chilli's are not aggressive but may encrust anything that doesnt move out of its way (it would happen very very very slowly)
propagation is via cutting much the same as any soft coral.
Chilli's require less feeding than their cousins the dendronepthya but still require a pretty steady food source, this in a standard aquarium isnt hard to as they will consume any small food that comes their way, they will however love you for a daily squirt of something yummy (phyto, rotifers, cyclops etc)
they seem to be able to thrive in the mankyest tanks as they get loads of food and they are not to delicate when nitrates and phosphates are concerned, this however is not a license to run a manky tank as any algae growth on the coral will swiftly kill it.
chilli's will grow upto about 6 inches and will form some very odd shapes so get one now and see how great they are!
now NPS corals range include corals from the soft, LPS and almost SPS groups - i say almost as it contains a group of corals called 'octocorals' that resemble SPS in polyp size and contruction but have no hard skeleton (the name comes from the 8 tentacles on each polyp)
so this weeks coral of coice is the humble chilli
(this one isnt open)
its an indo pacific coral that is often found on coastal shelves or in murkey lagoons, as this coral is non-photosynthetic (does not feed on light and contains no zooxantheallae) it must be fed on a regular basis. Any phytoplankton, zooplankton, micro food, and brine shrimp is accepted.
it prefers to be shaded and in strong but not direct flow, extra care should be taken to avoid algae from growing on the corals surface.
Chilli's will (contrary to common misconception) open during the day IF they are in a shaded area and food is available, they also semm to like to grow upside down, this may be due to their tendency to shy away from light by growing under cave lips and ledges.
colour morphs range fom brown to yellow but its most commonly seen in red, the polyps are usually white.
common species are : A. complanatum, A. digitatum, A. fulvum, A. molle, A. sidereum but there is more then 30 known.
Chilli's are not aggressive but may encrust anything that doesnt move out of its way (it would happen very very very slowly)
propagation is via cutting much the same as any soft coral.
Chilli's require less feeding than their cousins the dendronepthya but still require a pretty steady food source, this in a standard aquarium isnt hard to as they will consume any small food that comes their way, they will however love you for a daily squirt of something yummy (phyto, rotifers, cyclops etc)
they seem to be able to thrive in the mankyest tanks as they get loads of food and they are not to delicate when nitrates and phosphates are concerned, this however is not a license to run a manky tank as any algae growth on the coral will swiftly kill it.
chilli's will grow upto about 6 inches and will form some very odd shapes so get one now and see how great they are!
