Chili Coral... non-photosynthetic... fdg.  04/15/2008
Hello,
How is everyone today.
<<Hi there, Andrew here, yes, all well thank you>>
I recently purchased a Chili Coral and thought that I had done my homework in regards to this coral.
<<Ahhhhh.....>>
I checked two different web sites that said that the Chili Coral hosted its own symbiotic algae. Also the same info I received from my LFS. After purchasing and putting it into my reef tank I checked another web site that said it did not and must be fed daily. Normally this would not be a problem but with summer coming I will be off on long weekends and vacations and wanted to stay away from corals that needed daily feeding.
<<Correct, this is not a photosynthetic coral>>
I do have someone to feed my coral a couple times a week when on vacation but did not plan on daily feedings. My question to you is do Chili Corals host their own algae or do they need to be fed daily.
<<Fed daily is fine, some feed every other day on phyto or zooplankton, baby brine is a good one if readily accepted>>
Once again, thanks in advance, Shawn
<<Thanks for the questions Shawn, hope this helps. A Nixon>>

Re: Red Chili Coral Behavior Question, and hlth.  – 10/04/07
Hello again,
Thought I would write back with some feedback to you regarding a Chili Coral specimen.
<Okay>
Good news all around. The specimen is doing awesome and back to its normal daily routine and behavior. It appears to even be growing a small bit. Through some replacement and addition of higher and random flow along with reduction in the amount of skimming things seem to be back on track. It was not until mid September (almost 2 full months of "dormancy" did the coral come back out in all its splendor. I seem to be lucky in that my LFS got a new employee in who provided me with some possible tactics. I dramatically reduced my skimmer operation time from essentially 23hrs per day gradually down to about 12 hours a day. The skimmer is off during night time feeding period for this coral which I increased in frequency based on your recommendations. I now feed every day except for Sunday with phyto and zoo plankton. My water parameters have remained all normal. The only side effect is now a bit more hair algae growth. Thought you would like some feedback that is good news and if anyone else has similar problems this might be of use.
Thanks again and I continue to have a pleasant time with my tank and its prospering inhabitants
Sincerely,
Craig Martell
<Thank you for sharing. Bob Fenner>

Question for Anthony re Scleronephthya cult./fdg.   3/8/07
Hello Anthony
<Mmm, no longer w/ us... you might try him at Readingtrees.com or Marine Depot>
     I was thinking about your interesting description of the spawning of the nonphotosynthetic soft coral in your greenhouse.  
<I visited Antoine a few times when he was in the Xeniid biz>
     Were you "pushing" iodine at that point?  Certainly it would be interesting to know this;  also I presume you were skimming aggressively as always, but what were you feeding the tank?
<I do think the answer to both here is/was yes>
     Any new information on these intriguing organisms you have come across, especially from Peter Wilkins or others with some success?
Charles Matthews M.D.
<As stated... try the above addresses. Bob Fenner>