Devil's hand placement/questions

jadavis01 · 03-07-2001, 03:52 PM

I purchased a yellow devil's hand coral (Lobophytum pauciflorum) 5 days ago and it has not opened yet. In fact it looks more slumped now than it did the past few days. I have a toadstool leather also and I know these guys can close and open at will due to stress, parasites and to "slough" toxins. The devil's hand doesn't look like it's sloughing any mucus. I currently have it in low current and medium lighting (about half way up on rocks in a 29 gal tank with 2 X 55 W PC's). I have a spot that is higher current and more direct lighting but lower in the tank. Do you think this placement would be more to it's liking? Also I have read conflicting reports as to if Lobophytum pauciflorum is photosynthetic or not. does anyone know for sure? I dose DT phytoplankton every few days. Will this help the devil's hand directly or not?

Thank you!

bill-e · 03-07-2001, 08:27 PM

Placement sounds fine, give 'em a few more days.

I went for almost a year not feeding DT's and my Lobo went from 3" in diameter to 11".YMMV

jadavis01 · 03-07-2001, 08:38 PM

Thanks Bill! Do you mean the current placement or proposed move?

bill-e · 03-08-2001, 04:23 PM

According to Sprungs book, placement can be anywhere on the reef, lighting anywhere from med-low to high, and current anywhere from med-low to high. So really just about anywhere in the tank is ok. And yes, it is photosynthetic, and will eat DT's, marine snow, fish droppings, and most plankton.

jadavis01 · 03-08-2001, 05:32 PM

Thanks Bill! I will have to pick up a Sprung guide someday.

jadavis01 · 03-08-2001, 05:46 PM

Hey Bill, I like your website! Look's like we have a lot in common, including a colt coral and toadstool leather that dominate the tank. I lost my T. derasa when my toadstool was overshadowing it for days when I was out of town.