NidaliidFAQs

FAQs about Soft Corals of the Family Nidaliidae

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Related Soft Coral FAQs: Soft Coral Propagation, Alcyoniids, Nephtheids, Dendronephthya, Paralcyoniids, Xeniids

A Nidaliid in Fiji, residing in a swim through passage off Taveuni.

Coral inquiry 10/25/27
These came in with a shipment of Dendronephthya but I'm not too sure exactly what they are. Any help?
<I do think these are soft corals, of the family Nidaliidae, perhaps of the genus Siphonogorgia.
From WWM: "Superficially resemble Gorgonians. Polyps clustered toward ends of branches, absent from lower trunk, branches. No internal "axis" like sea fans. Can be completely withdrawn. Western Pacific; Philippines, Belau,
Solomon Islands. Common on reef slopes, overhangs at times. "
Thank you for sharing. Bob Fenner>

Identification of coral, Chili Coral (Nephthyigorgia) 2/27/07 Hello from Belfast, Ireland! <Top O' the morning to you, Jason! Mich here.> I'd like to say thanks for doing a great job - I've found your site very helpful while getting started with my marine setup. <Tis good to hear!> I was wondering if you could ID this coral for me. It was sold to me as a fire coral, but having checked out the descriptions of fire coral on your site, it appears to be something quite different - no white tips or hairs, and it has star shaped polyps. <Not a fire coral.> The polyps are retracted during the day, and the coral shrinks to about 1/3 of its nighttime size. <Very accurate description.> So, unfortunately for me, it's full splendour is only visible early in the morning before it retracts again. <Yes this is normal behavior for this coral, is nocturnal, like me, commonly called a Chili coral (Nephthyigorgia). It is aposymbiotic, meaning that it has no zooxanthellae, and therefore non-photosynthetic. This means this coral must be target fed, typically when the lights are out and the polyps are extended. Their nutritional requirements are poorly understood, but are filter feeder, so think tiny planktonic foods.> Cheers,
Jason
Good day to you!
<And to you! -Mich>

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