Dividing Corals And Sweeper Tentacles

[steelhealr]

Here is a pic to show you how one particular coral grows and multiplies. This is caulastrea curvata, or, trumpet coral. It is a large polyped stony coral (LPS) which contain the symbiotic photosynthetic algae zooxanthellae. In the lower central portion of the pic, you can see one coral head 'pinching off' or dividing to form another polyp. Also visible is a nice shot of sweeper tentacles.

Although most photosynthetic corals will survive under the appropriate lighting, almost all of them will sweep the ocean currents in the natural setting to capture food. Although I beg to differ from commercial websites that say your corals will benefit "along with the addition of calcium, strontium, and other trace elements to the water. " (calcium, yes), I DO believe that they benefit from the feeding of plankton and other meaty foods.

Here is another coral that has a mechanism for 'eating'. This is a closeup shot of an orange plate coral (fungia sp). Note the slit in the middle of the coral. At night, the short tentacles that you see in this picture, when coming in contact with food, will sweep the food inwards toward the oral disc and the food will be incredibly pulled into the center of the coral and disappear.

Don't forget to feed your corals. SH

 

[Siamese Fighter05]

Great info and pics Sh

 

[Clownfish11790]

Thanks for the information. I am thinking about getting some trumpet coral._CF

 

[steelhealr]

De nada. I think three corals that are fascinating to watch 'eat' are trumpets, sun corals and plates. It blows me away how the plate coral can move one arm to another to move the food into the center of the plate where it 'disappears' without a trace. LOL. SH

 

[Mr Miagi]

I laugh at how after you have fed your plate coral, you can make out the lump of fish flesh after its completely ingulfed it! The speed at which the engulfing occurs is also admirable.

Nice pics SH.

 

[trekbear]

I have the heliofungia Long tentacle plate coral.

They are fun to watch eating. I give it it's own 1/2 cube of mysis about once every 2 weeks. the rest of the time it collects food while I am feeding the fish and other corals. It does the simlar move of handing off food from the outer legs (tentacles) to the inner eventually getting engulfed in the mouth.

Way cool creature and I like it because it is similar to an anemone, in looks, but not nearly as difficult to keep. now if the clowns would only host it... LOL

TB

 

[steelhealr]

Trekbear...I think that your selection of corals is one of the reasons why your tank looks so great and is doing so well. Despite common practice in nano reefing, many will push the envelope and add anemones, corals with long sweeper tentacles, nudibranchs, etc...and thus jeopardize the well-being of their tanks. A nano tank crash is not a fun thing to experience. SH

 

[trekbear]

awww thanks Steelie

I just selected corals that fit where I wanted something to go. Now if I could only get the colors... I have become attached to my finger leather but unfortuneately the coral is white/very light pink... was sold to me as neon green which it was for maybe 3 days.. LOL (dyed corals, stay away from them...) I now know what to look for I won't be suckered again with that particular practice. I have seen the neon green to just plain green finger leathers, and this one was definitely dyed.

As for the long tentacle LPS etc... I have to watch the plate as it likes to move a bit every once in a while and will just get close to either mushroom island or the other side and get my candycanes (trumpet coral), If he grows much more I will have to consider moving it to the frag tank and get me another small one for this cube well maybe

Thanks again for your compliment, your tank is one to admire and envy as well, that yellow fiji leather (how's that frag you did coming along? ready to ship to me here in Tulsa??? hint hint j/k

l8r,
TB

 

[steelhealr]

...if I could only figure the shipping thing out and where to buy all the stuff. I 'sliced off' one small frag for a local TFF'er here and apparently the small piece is doing well. Funny thing you mentioned dyed corals. ...Liveaquaria is selling sinularia flexibis, GREEN variety. You might want to swing in there and check out and see if that is what you are looking for in your tank. SH