michaeltx
Moderator
Dendronephthya is possibly the most beautiful coral on the reefs they are also known as carnation coral, cauliflower coral, or colored tree coral. There are over 100 species of this coral and are found on deep water ledges and overhangs and/or in caves. This coral comes in a wide array of colors red, orange, purple, and/or pink. The coral is collected from indo-pacific area including Fiji, Tonga, Solomon Island, and the great barrier reef. They are a predatory coral which means that they do not rely on any light for survival.
This coral is a very demanding coral needing specific foods such as phyto-plankton, zooplankton and rotofiers. The need a lot of food that is in a steady stream as well. they require a very clean and stabile system any fluctuations in water chemistry can cause this coral to die off. They require a steady SG of 1.023 to 1.025, and a steady PH of around 8.1 and temperature between 74 and 78 degrees. They will not tolerate any hair algae , it releases a chemical that can kill the coral. When threatened this coral can virtually disappear expelling all the fluid within the coral. and retracting itself so small that its predators will pass it by.
This coral is very difficult coral to keep alive. with the feeding requirements and food size that they need our tanks just cant keep enough food in the water column for them to feed off of. Most of them last only a few weeks to a few months before they start to starve to death.
The LFS's order these corals because the know their beauty will sell them no matter what the survival rate is. Most online stores will not guarantee this coral to arrive alive or to stay alive, they suggest only very experienced reek keepers to attempt this coral and then its still a gamble on wither or not the coral will live long term. In my Opinion and most other peoples opinion is to leave these beautiful corals in the ocean where they can not only survive but thrive. The ocean has enough food for them to live and as of this date there is nothing that can sustain them long term.
There are studies being conducted on these corals and other predatory corals along with the crinoid star. trying to find a way to feed them in our systems all of these feed off the same foods and sizes, they are hoping to find a way to feed them in the home tank so that other items like some sponges and tunicates can be successfully housed in our tanks. Until that time they are better off in the ocean.
Here are a few pictures that I have collected of the internet and for anyone wanting to know the posters owners of these photos just email me for the info. Mickadee@hotmail.com . These are examples of red, pink, and orange carnation corals.
This coral is a very demanding coral needing specific foods such as phyto-plankton, zooplankton and rotofiers. The need a lot of food that is in a steady stream as well. they require a very clean and stabile system any fluctuations in water chemistry can cause this coral to die off. They require a steady SG of 1.023 to 1.025, and a steady PH of around 8.1 and temperature between 74 and 78 degrees. They will not tolerate any hair algae , it releases a chemical that can kill the coral. When threatened this coral can virtually disappear expelling all the fluid within the coral. and retracting itself so small that its predators will pass it by.
This coral is very difficult coral to keep alive. with the feeding requirements and food size that they need our tanks just cant keep enough food in the water column for them to feed off of. Most of them last only a few weeks to a few months before they start to starve to death.
The LFS's order these corals because the know their beauty will sell them no matter what the survival rate is. Most online stores will not guarantee this coral to arrive alive or to stay alive, they suggest only very experienced reek keepers to attempt this coral and then its still a gamble on wither or not the coral will live long term. In my Opinion and most other peoples opinion is to leave these beautiful corals in the ocean where they can not only survive but thrive. The ocean has enough food for them to live and as of this date there is nothing that can sustain them long term.
There are studies being conducted on these corals and other predatory corals along with the crinoid star. trying to find a way to feed them in our systems all of these feed off the same foods and sizes, they are hoping to find a way to feed them in the home tank so that other items like some sponges and tunicates can be successfully housed in our tanks. Until that time they are better off in the ocean.
Here are a few pictures that I have collected of the internet and for anyone wanting to know the posters owners of these photos just email me for the info. Mickadee@hotmail.com . These are examples of red, pink, and orange carnation corals.
