yellow toadstool?

[Cosine]

The lfs is selling a tiny one.
I already have a pink one and am thinking about picking the little guy up.

I just want to make sure that yellow is a natural colour for these guys?
anybody have one?
are they the same as far as care is concerned as mine is?
thats it
Thanks!

[tdwyatt]

pix please.

Keep in mind that it will require VERY strong lighting and relatively low nitrate levels to maintain its yellow color if it is indeed a yellow Sarcophyton. Look up "Fiji Yellow Sarcophyton" for some pix of what to be looking for.

hth

[Cosine]

I have him here now so I can take a pic.
If I feel I can't keep him well I can take hiim back
LFS won't mind since he got 3 in and sold the other two in a few days.

Anyways I'll get a pic
today if it opens up or tomorrow morning!

I've been fighting adding corals until the new tnak is set up but I had a gift certificate. But if they need MH I will return it. He's got some bright green zoas I could trade it for. hmmmmmm

okay pics to follow
thanks Tom

[Cosine]

At first I thought there was two different corals
a yellow toadstool
and the yellow Fiji
now I'm not sure...

[Cosine]

okay some pics of him in the bag closed up
he's the coral in question for sure
ugggh now I feel dumb for not researching properly

Anyways whatever it is
What does it need to be happy?
Hopefully I can provide if not I'll bring it back in the morning!

thanks all!

[tdwyatt]

You don't absolutely have to have the MH, I have seen them do well under bright VHO, the problem will be maintaining its coloration if the lighting is inadequate. They will brown up nicely if there is a regular source of nitrates, if the lighting is not bright enough, or if the specimen is actually a gold Sarcophyton elegans (Golden sarcophyton) and it was dyed yellow... I personally can't believe that this type of deception is still practiced, but it still shows up occasionally.

You might want to check with Rick O in the Atlanta Club for his experiences, I seem to remember him having one, although I don't know if he has kept it or not (he took a system down, it may have been in that system) There should be plenty of folks tht can relay their personal experiences with specimens that have maintained the yellow coloration.

hth

[Cosine]

Okay great
I won't return him right away!
ummm
I am setting up a new tank which will be at lest 4VHO or 8t5 bulbs. However, I'm gonna look at MH. My question is that might be awhile until it is ready to support corals. So could it do ok for up to let's say 6mths max (this is until it is ready for corals so set up plus around 3mths). Hopefully I can get the tank going well before then
However if this is the case and it does loose its colours will it regain them under good conditions?

thanks

[Andrew3]

If they're dyed, yellow sarcos often show uneven distribution of yellow coloration, especially around the base where it's attached to rock. Also, if it just arrived at the store recently, and you've brought it home and want to know whether or not it has been dyed, place some tank water in a clear plastic bag, and very gently and briefly swish the coral around (holding it by the rock it's attached to, not the coral itself) - the water should turn a nasty yellow color, and you won't be able to see through the bag. IME, most of these corals do not survive. Some of the (Genus) Nephthea and Capnella take the dying better, but it's still a shame this is done at all.

[tdwyatt]

Originally Posted by Cosine

... could it do ok for up to let's say 6mths... ...Hopefully I can get the tank going well before then ... However if this is the case and it does lose its colors, will it regain them under good conditions?

As Andrew pointed out, assuming that it IS a yellow Sarco, it will. I have heard different opinions about the hardiness of these particular Sarco's, but if it turns brown, and it survives and grows in the tank, once low nutrient values and adequate lighting are established, it should regain its yellow coloration.



I don't want to chastise you, as I realize it is difficult to have a REEF TANK on display and not place specimens. After all, your friends realize that you've had this tank up for x number of months and still don't have anything to show for your work and expenditures. THIS is where the most important factor of reef keeping comes into play: you must have patience to see this all come together in its own time in a reef system, as nothing good happens quickly in reef systems.


Sarcophyton spp. for the most part are quite forgiving of poor water conditions of a temporary nature, the issue will now be how quickly will you be able to establish good water conditions before it affects the overall health of your specimen? Additions of specimens before the system is ultimately ready is almost always a costly and unfortunate (especially for the creature involved) misadventure. Keep in mind that loss of specimens is often preventable when starting up a system, and if the specimen should die, you've just dumped a truckload of nutrients into the water column that may affect the future viability of the system, especially in terms of the long run in systems with substrates. Just something to consider when considering when to add new specimens to a new system.

[JennM]

It doesn't look dyed from the pic.. but that's not saying much because I can't really examine it. As was mentioned above, if the bag water changed colour that's a huge red (yellow?) flag. Also if the substrate attached to the coral is yellow, that's another big clue.

I don't buy dyed corals but there are still a few out there that show up from time to time. Usually leathers, pagodas (Turbinaria sp.) and Colts usually. Back in the day when I first opened, I was sent several hot pink colt corals - almost looked like Dendronepthya species... fortunately they did survive, eventually the turned a more natural shade of brown/pinkish and the grew and flourished but many dyed corals die from the stress of it all. I don't buy from that source anymore, for a number of reasons... I do recall one wholesaler whom I consider to be very ethical, noting on the stock list that they had received dyed corals in error, but gave full disclosure on their availablilty list. More often than not though, unless the LFS is savvy, they have no idea if what they receive is dyed or not. Sadly this is also done to anemones on occasion too

I've got a yellow devil's hand that has stayed yellow for a few months in my store system, under 3 x 175 watts of MH about 15" from the surface of the water.

I remember the yellow Sarco that Rick had... I had some frags off it which I sold, and they stayed yellow while in my care, albeit short. He kept it high up in the tank if I remember correctly, and it was one of the more beautiful specimens I've ever seen - it was HUGE and it was bright.

Jenn

[Cosine]

Tom
I think we have some misunderstanding...
The coral right now is placed in my 30g tank which has been set up for about a year.
I meant to say that I am upgrading and the new system will have better lights
sorry for the confusion

[Rick O]

I have had one for several years. Most of the time it was under MH and was a very vivid yellow. When I went to a smaller tank I fragged off a piece and kept the smaller one for the nano. The smaller one is now under 96 watt pc and is doing well but it's not as bright yellow as it was under MH. I'll be moving it to a larger tank soon with better lights so I expect it to somewhat regain it's bright yellow color.

The first pic is under MH the second is under pc.

[tdwyatt]

Originally Posted by Cosine

Tom
I think we have some misunderstanding...
The coral right now is placed in my 30g tank which has been set up for about a year...

ahhh... my bad.


I guess I will go back to my corner and shut up now






Rick, the Sarco still looks great, Lemmeno when the new tank is set up, I have a favor to return to you.

[Cosine]

Rick thanks a lot!
and Tom no problem at all I know your looking out for everyone and their corals!

Well it is opened this morning. I really just hope its not a dyed coral. If it is I hope it survives. Can the dye hurt anyother corals in the tank. It does seem to be darker around the base but my pink one does the same thing except it goes kinda yellowish...

I'll grab another pic. I really need a tripod my hands are too shaky!

[Cosine]

grabbed these two just before the camera battery died!