What do corals eat

[willsmith1]

I want to get a couple of zoo's from swf.com but I'm not sure what they eat. I'm sure somebody in here knows. Thanks

 

[zeroc]

technically they just need good light and water conditions, they would benefit from once a week feedings of micro-plankton but it's not necessary.

 

[perfectdark]

Though various authors have stated that the various soft coral groups can "get by" with chemical supplement feedings and "correct" lighting. Be aware that all species investigated are known planktivores, some consuming more zoo- others more phyto-plankton in the wild. All soft corals should therefore be periodically offered such small foodstuffs.
Whether you culture a mix or buy it bottled, tubed, frozen or dried, directing ground up nutritious matter onto the tentacular surfaces when opened, with your particulate filtration temporarily suspended (leaving the complementary recirculation-only pump(s) running) ensures growth and health. A few times per week to daily regimens are practical per species, sizes and system.
Chemical feedings do directly and indirectly benefit these animals. Iodine in particular should be fed into the water; in concert with water changes and feedings.

 

[reefkprz]

There are no "purely" photosynthetic corals, all corals require some form of sustenance. the diet totally depends on the coral. some like SPS have a poor capture response, and very small mouths so foods like plankton and rotifers or oyster eggs suit them. most corals have the ability to consume plankton, some require meatier foods. such as sun coral, in the wild they consume massive quantities of copepods brought to them on the current, our tanks cant handle providing such a load of food with out seriously degrading water quality so we substitute with larger less frequent feedings of small meaty foods like mysis shgrimp or minced krill. corals like zoanthids dont generally require spot feeding as once your tank is well established they find the available nutrients in the water sufficient, along with photosynthesis. some like protopalythoas can handle consuming meaty foods adn grow faster when presented with a steady diet, but dont generally require it. its almost amazing how much food is readily available in our systems. of course this decreases the more efficient our skimming and maintinence rituals are.

 

[paintballer768]

You said zoos, so to state it very simply. Make sure you have good lights and that they have good exposure to the lights. Zoos have bacteria in them that feeds by photosynthesis and feeds the coral by that, but zoos and all other coral require supplemental feedings. That means buy some plankton, marine snow, or something like that. Your LFS should be able to hook you up sufficiently.
When it comes to actually feeding them, turn off the filter, let the food get mixed in a cup of water from your tank, and use a turkey baster to put the food so gravity drops it on top of the zoos. Make sure the polyps are open or else they wont eat. But just do that about 3-4 times a week, maybe 2-3 not 100% sure, and the zoos should do fine. If Im wrong, I know someone will correct me haha.

 

[perfectdark]

Dosing your tank takes some TLC and an inexperienced reefer can get into a bioload issue if you feed to much quantity too often. Its a delicate balance of making sure your corals are supplemented with the micro organisms they require with out overloading your bioload. Alot of these foods contain many more microns of food particles than your standard fish food and its easy to over do it. I think that 2 to 3 times a week is sufficient but watching the quantity is key. I also know people that feed only once a week and seem to be doing ok. And the hard core people that feed every day sometimes multiple times a day. But heavy skimming and frequent water changes are essential in this case.