|
|
FAQs about Soft Corals of the Family Nephtheidae 2
Related Articles: Soft Corals of the Family
Nephtheidae, The Soft Corals of
the genus Dendronephthya,
Soft Corals, Order Alcyonacea
Related FAQs: Nephtheids 1,
Neptheid Identification, Nephtheid
Behavior, Nephtheid Compatibility,
Nephtheid Selection, Nephtheid Systems,
Nephtheid Feeding, Nephtheid Disease,
Nephtheid Reproduction/Propagation,
Soft Coral Propagation, Alcyoniids,
Dendronephthya, Paralcyoniids,
Nidaliids, Xeniids,
Soft Corals/Order Alcyonacea | 
|
Scleronepthyas
Hi Bob,
<Omar>
Here is the photo as
promised. Not too clear I'm afraid, the camera does not have high
zoom.
<It's a nice pic nonetheless>
As you can see the 2
"youngest" corals are on the rock next to the parent, the first
daughter colony is on the rock behind, kinda hard to distinguish
form the parent, but it too is now starting to branch. The 2 younger
ones are still a single branch.
<I see>
any further advice
would be welcome, most people I tell just try to put me off buying a
dendro, even saying that it's impossible that I could have
reproduced a sclero! its amazing how people have no trust. same
thing used to happen when I was breeding parrots, so I guess I'm
kinda used to the pettiness of hobbyists
Regards
Omar
<"Nothing succeeds like success"... there have been studies, folks
keeping Dendronephthya alive for a time... Charlie Delbeek at the
Waikiki Aquarium wrote re his/their experiences... but can't
remember which of the hobby mag.s carried the popular write up re...
I would try a computer search bibliography at a large library on the
topic. Bob Fenner> | 
|
Some questions on Chili Cactus corals 2/10/06
Hello
Bob.
<James>
I have been reading Anthony Calfo's book on coral
propagation and your joint venture on Reef Inverts as I now have quite
and assortment of 'friends' growing from my live rock. While I am
enjoying the proliferation of sponges, horseshoe worms, zoos, mushrooms
and many other 'unknowns as of yet' I have been tending to my growing
frogspawn colonies and will soon have to consider pruning them. This
backdrop is just to let you know that the tank is doing very well.
<Good to hear/read>
So, the 55 gallon tank is doing well (only set
up since this summer). However, I have had my eye on the Chili Cactus
coral as a filter feeder.
<Mmm, not easily kept...>
I have a
relatively shady spot with good turbulent flow near but not direct to
the 260 watts of PC lighting on the tank (everything is going to be
moved to the 75 gallon Megaflow tank since the wooden stand is more
stable than the iron one that came with the 55 within a period of time).
In the meantime I have discovered I like the chili cactus corals and
from what I have read so far they seem an easier soft coral to care for.
<... are we talking Nephthyigorgia sp., Scleronephthyas? Some folks have
stated the former are "easy"... not IMO/E>
However, the specimens I
have seen at the LFS's have been... well, less than optimal and they say
the mortality rate is high.
<This has been my experience... in
seeing, handling many specimens>
I attribute this to the lighting
and lack of decent current in the tank they keep these particular
specimens in (from my reading not experience). What should I be looking
for with this species in particular?
<Size, conformity, consistency
in color, shape... length of time on hand (a couple weeks or so
ideally)>
I notice at the store they are droopy and often flopped
over however, when the lights were shut for 10-15 minutes the polyps did
extend. As I have had much success with the other corals I 'became
steward of through natural growth' I feel they might benefit in several
areas of my tank. The fish in the tank are messy feeders and I feed more
than I should as not everyone gets to eat if I don't. Fish are the Royal
Gramma, Foxface, Flame Angel and Firefish with a cleaner shrimp. May I
have your thoughts on the matter please?
Thank you,
James Zimmer
<I would steer clear here... For your size, type system... best to
avoid. Larger systems with refugiums... I'd try other families of
cnidarians. Bob Fenner> Re: Some questions
on Chili Cactus corals - 2/11/2006
Thank you Bob.
<Welcome James>
Not what I was hoping to hear but I would rather the
odds were in my favor. Another issue becomes which is it of the species
you listed... this I am not sure. Almost always; fish and corals are
labeled by common name at nearly every fish store I go to. I ask for
specifics (where does the live rock come from, species of fish coral and
location they came from) but you know how it is. The knowledge of the
chili corals at this LFS were less than adequate. A shame really they
are a handsome specimen.
<Gorgeous animals>
Anyway, the 75 is
next to go up and I am still throwing around the ideas of a canister
filter which was a strong recommendation from a former LFS
owner/technician/system builder (he said he would show me how to plumb
and adjust it) and a Reverse Daylight Photosynthesis refugium (beneath)
in the stand. I am thinking a 30 gallon tank should fit and standard
lights on at night should be adequate without tipping the electrical
side of the equation with too much draw and outlets used.
<Some of
these (Eheim is best) are very low electrical draws. Check the
amperage/wattage...>
I am leaning towards the RDP so I can have more
water capacity and a safe place for pods/planktons to thrive.
<Good>
I have a 24 nanocube as a replacement for the 5 gallon tank with only
sand and rock and the transported star polyps (the flame angel finally
discovered they were tasty but I saved them): POD Palace!!! =)
What
size tank/system is appropriate for these chili corals?
<Bigger...>
When are you going to be in this neck of the woods again? <NJ>
<Don't
know... maybe my Mum-in-laws bday later August...>
Thank you.
James Zimmer
<Again, welcome. Bob Fenner>
Coral (mis)ID 1/25/06
Hello WWM crew,
<Hello Rick>
I have a couple of photos of an unknown coral that
I took yesterday at the
LFS. Can anyone tell me what this is &
how it would need to be cared for.
The LFS told me that it was
an Orange Chili coral, does this sound right??
<Wish the picture
had more detail, possibly top view. To me it looks like a
cauliflower/colt coral of the genus Cladiella which usually have
shorter fingers. James (Salty Dog)><<What? Is a Nephtheid. Please
see here:
http://www.google.com/custom?q=chili+soft+coral+genus&sitesearch=wetwebmedia.com
RMF>>
Cheers!
Rick Waibel Jr. |  |
|
|
