Butterfly Chomping On Corals   8/21/06
Bob,
<Scott F. with you today.>
Quick question for you - I have a Chaetodon xanthurus in a 110 gallon with about 20 large SPS staghorn colonies. He picks on them quite a few times per day - I imagine eating a coral polyp with every nibble. This causes several of the corals to withdraw their polyps (at least during the day when I can watch).
<I can imagine the picking he/she is doing when you aren't watching! LOL.>
Will SPS still grow under this condition - i.e. inability to extend their polyps? Will the butterfly eat the entire coral down to the skeleton typically?
Best, Kris
BerlinMethod.com
<Well, Chris, in the closed system with its finite coral population and limited space, it's going to be a serious issue. Sure, the corals can continue to grow if some of them can extend their polyps, but it is not very likely. The constant picking will also cause some other possible problems for the corals, such as disease, and in the event of dead sections on the coral, nuisance algae growing over these sections. Typically, the Butterflies will pick at the coral itself, and maybe pull off some surrounding tissue in the process. Disease and/or secondary predators can complete the job started by the Butterfly. In the end, it's probably better to pull out the corals or the fish if you intend for them to thrive indefinitely. Best of luck! Regards, Scott F.>

Give Those Acros Some Breathing Room! (Coral Placement)   2/2/06
Hi!
<Hiya! Scott F. at the keyboard tonight!>
I just had a quick question regarding SPS coral placement. How far should most Acropora be placed from
each other? I do prune them and make sure they do not touch each other. Is a distance of 3-4 inches enough?
Thank you so much!
Sheen
<Well, Sheen- everyone has an opinion on this one, but I would allow almost 6" plus between specimens. I've done it closer, and trust me- given time and the proper conditions, they'll still eventually grow into each other! Try at least 6", be patient, and you'll be rewarded with larger, healthier, and more colorful corals...Assuming, of course, that you can provide for their other environmental needs! Best of luck to you! Regards, Scott F.>

Monti cap being eaten by perc  12/16/05
Hello, <Hello Dan>
     I purchased a frag of a red Montipora Cap about a month ago. It has been doing great and has doubled in size. The last few days, the rim has been all messed up looking, like it fell and crushed a little bit. Then the other day I saw my percula swim up and latch on with his mouth. He wriggled around a bit and then swam back into his sebae anemone about 4 inches away. Upon further examination, I found bite mark in the shape of the Perc's mouth taken right out of the rim. I thought these guys were supposed to be reef safe.... Is the clown going to stop or should I move the coral? <I'd watch it for a while, if the clown still nips, then move the coral.  Unusual behavior for the clown to say the least.>
      Also, I have asked this question a couple times now and haven't really got the answer I was looking for. Is it better for my coral to have light from a 265 watt power compact light fixture from CoralLife with 2 day and 2 actinic, or 440 watts of VHO from a icecap 660 ballast with 2 day and 2 actinic. I was thinking obviously the 440 watts, but I have gotten mixed answers every time I ask someone. So if possible, just tell me which one my coral will like more. <My choice would be the Icecap system.  James (Salty Dog)>
Thanks for any help you can give me <You're welcome>

Acropora compatibility 7/24/05
Hello again.
<Hello ol' buddy ol' pal - Ali here>
I have yet another question for you guys. The tank is still not set up yet, but I'm a little confuse about something. Sometimes I would read about not mixing hard corals with soft. Sometimes I would read that it is okay. I plan to keep some hard corals such as a hammer coral and an Acropora. I was just wondering if mushrooms would okay to add into the mix. My first interest in corals were yuma Ricordea and Acroporids, and if the cannot coexist, then I have a little dilemma.
<Yes they can. 'Yuma' Ricordea generally are very slow at naturally reproducing in captive environments without forced incisions. Therefore, you don't have to worry about them spreading all over the place and 'stinging' your Acroporids. However, remember that generally across and yuma require somewhat different environments. If you do decide to keep them together, place the Ricordea in lower light, lower-flow areas. Also, many of the more exotic colored yuma that come in are already sick and/or dying. Search around for healthy pre-established specimens if possible. By pre-established, I mean look for fellow reefers who've kept the coral healthy, plump and happy for several months/years and try to strike up a deal with them.>
Well, thanks for all the help so far and don't worry, for I will continue to ask lots and lots of questions. : )
<You got it bud, feel free to keep the questions coming - Ali>