hopefully easy coral ID

Geoff · 04-14-2003, 11:31 AM

i go the the SPS pack from aquacon the other day. the bags were poorly labeled. i have no idea what kind of coral this is. even a Genus would be fine. i would like find out some care info on this coral. also what kind of polyps does it have. i do not see any division on the surface at all. so far i give a good rating on this. they gave me 16 frags instead of 11.

. one of the frags had RTN so it was out. most of the others seem fine. they are a little small. a lot of the acros are already extending, along with the porities. i would have liked a little better labeling on the bags though.

Thanks,

G~

Geoff · 04-14-2003, 10:50 PM

nothing huh. i went through the bags and the only other clue i can give you all is that it looks like it started out Disto.

i figured it would have been a fairly common coral. since they were all inexpensive i figured it would have been a fast growing easily fragged beginner coral.

G~

nvrmore · 04-14-2003, 11:34 PM

hehe that was what i was gonna guess.

it looks like Distichopora pg103 in aquarium corals. pg 620 in Corals of Indo JEN Vernon

about care, as erics book says they are "dependent on plankton and nutrients for energy needs"

HTH

Alice · 04-15-2003, 01:14 AM

Yup, that would be my guess too, nvrmore. These guys aren't that easy to keep, feed on fine particles of DOC and phytoplankton, so you may have some success with feeding DT's or similar. They lack zooxanthellae so they are indifferent to lighting conditions but may burn if exposed to intense MH. Lots of flow will help, too.

Here's a good tip on target feeding phyto. Cut the bottom out of a two liter soda bottle (or whatever size is appropriate for the coral) slip the bottle over the coral and then use an eyedropper or squirt some phyto through the top of the bottle. Leave the bottle in place for 15 minutes and then remove it. It's hard to target feed corals if the current sweeps it all away.

Alice

reefcam · 04-15-2003, 01:25 AM

Not sure if the Fire Corals are in the same genus, but if it shows little hair like filament, then it's a Fire Coral. And don't touch it or you will know why they call it a fire coral. It will turn light yellow under MH lighting and dark yellow under low light.

Had one in my main tank and now it's in my prop tank as I got tired of itchy arm. It can give you a rash if you are allergic to bee stings.

reefcam · 04-15-2003, 01:27 AM

If it turns out to be a fire coral, then IME, it's a medium grower under MH. Mine does not grow as fast as my SPS. I've only fraged it a couple times and it does take a while to heal.

Alice · 04-15-2003, 01:46 AM

Quote:

and it does take a while to heal.

The coral or your fingers after handling it to frag it?

Alice

reefcam · 04-15-2003, 02:03 AM

Good point Alice.. Both.. If the filaments are retracted then chances you many not get stung.

Now come to think of it, the Fire Coral is part of the Distichopora family. Just the brown variety stings and the colors ones (purple, red, orange) do not.

reefcam · 04-15-2003, 02:06 AM

Here's an old picture of mine when I had it in the display tank.

http://www.romperroo.com/FishCorner/...s/P2020109.jpg

and a close up

http://www.romperroo.com/FishCorner/...s/P2230211.JPG

Geoff · 04-15-2003, 10:13 AM

i was actually thinking along the lines of a fire coral, of course this was after i was done mounting them

. i was not stung anyway, but i also thought it could have been the fact that the nematacysts could not get throught the skin on my fingertips.

reefcam-did you target feed yours, or did it do fine with the leftovers from feeding the rest of the critters? i am actually kind of glad it eats plankton. i have a serious feather worm epidemic going on right now. i hope that these corals like the same plankton that the feathers feed on. what lighting did you have on those picts? i will move it down a bit anyway.

thanks all,

G~

reefcam · 04-15-2003, 03:56 PM

Geoff,

I never did any target feeding. I did used to feed phytos in the tank, but other than that, it got what was in the tank. Sorry I don't have a real answer for you. The fire coral is now in the prop tank and still thriving.

Geoff · 04-15-2003, 03:59 PM

reefcam-that is great information. it is more than i could find on the web after i finally got an clue on what to look for.

thanks,

G~

Silas · 04-16-2003, 10:23 PM

I think the common name for this coral is lace coral. I saw one at the LFS the other day and almost purchase it..

s

stephen · 04-18-2003, 02:36 AM

according to reef coral id. by paul humann it looks like a millepora.
check with a mag. glass, try to see if it has any hair-like polyps. if it does don't touch. ouch!!

stephen

reefcam · 04-18-2003, 07:23 PM

not a problem Geoff. Good luck with it...or have fun is more like it... On my coral, when the coral start to grow larger, I notice the tips turn white. So don't be alarm when you see new tips. It's not a sign of bleaching like acros.

http://www.animal-world.com/encyclo/...crust_fire.htm

I found this interesting info on treating Fire Coral burns. Wish I knew this in the past.

Rinse with seawater. Avoid fresh water because it will increase pain.

Apply topical acetic acid (vinegar) or isopropyl alcohol.

Remove tentacles with tweezers.

Immobilize the extremity because movement may cause the venom to spread.

Hydrocortisone cream may be applied 2-3 times daily for itching. Discontinue immediately if any signs of infection appear.

If the victim develops shortness of breath; swelling in the tongue, face, or throat; or other signs of an allergic reaction, treat for an allergic reaction.

If there are no signs of allergic reaction, pain may be relieved with 1-2 acetaminophen (Tylenol) every 4 hours and/or 1-2 ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) every 6-8 hours.
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