[NewFishGirl]

I am really wanting to get a brain coral, and while browsing online to see what's out there, I saw a long tentacle plate coral. I have seen these before, but never had the room on the sand (now I do!).

My question is, what is the care of a long tentacle plate? Anything I need to watch out for? I love how it sort of looks like an anemone...

 

[Wiskey]

These things are tough to keep in many cases,.. FWIS there really easy to over light, and often times when you get them they may not be in the best shape. They like to be fed, and they don't like clowns nipping at them too much.

I would try a short tenticle plate first personally,.. if you do okay with one of those then maybe try the LTP.

JMO - I got one once really cheap because it wasn't doing well, and it ended up dieing on me
Whiskey

 

[NewFishGirl]

Thanks very much for the input. My clown is a hosting freak and I am sure he would try to host, so it's probably best not to get one.

I do like the short tentacle plates, so maybe I will look into one of those. And a brain of course! That is what I reallty want at the moment.

thank you!!!

 

[Hop]

I've always respected those that can keep these gems. When I was pretty new to the hobby I got one and killed it in about a week. Later on I had one handed to me and I was able to keep it going for about 6 weeks. I just couldn't bring myself to get another one.

As far as brain corals, I really like some of the open brains and many of the favia! I've been looking for another one, but looking for something a little more rare that the green favia I had before. good luck!

 

[NewFishGirl]

I am now torn between open and closed. I am thinking open... but I must feed them, right?

 

[Hop]

This is my old green one. Unfortunately it didn't make the transfer from my 450 to my current tank

 

[tdwyatt]

Long Tentacle platees have a dismal survival record in captivity, even with experienced aquarists. The systems that usually can suport them are either semi- or totally open systems with frequent access to fresh NSW and planktonic creatures that the zooxanthellate LT plate (Heliofungia actiniformis) seem to have as a part of their diet. Every now and then you will see one that survives, usually in dirty systems similar to the conditions from which these little gems are usually harvested, but for the most part, they are better left in the ocean in their turbid seagrass or lagoonal habitats. See the article: Wabnitz, C., Taylor, M., Green, E. and Razak, T. (2003) From Ocean to Aquarium. UNEP-WCMC, Cambridge, UK; for more info on their poor survival rates when imported for the Aquarium trade. I find it amazing that Heliofungia and Cataphyllia spp. are among the top 10 genera of collected Scleractinians, yet they are seldom are seen in home aquaria (wanna guess why?)

 

[08TRDOFFROAD]

Long Tentacle platees have a dismal survival record in captivity, even with experienced aquarists. The systems that usually can suport them are either semi- or totally open systems with frequent access to fresh NSW and planktonic creatures that the zooxanthellate LT plate (Heliofungia actiniformis) seem to have as a part of their diet. Every now and then you will see one that survives, usually in dirty systems similar to the conditions from which these little gems are usually harvested, but for the most part, they are better left in the ocean in their turbid seagrass or lagoonal habitats. See the article: Wabnitz, C., Taylor, M., Green, E. and Razak, T. (2003) From Ocean to Aquarium. UNEP-WCMC, Cambridge, UK; for more info on their poor survival rates when imported for the Aquarium trade. I find it amazing that Heliofungia and Cataphyllia spp. are among the top 10 genera of collected Scleractinians, yet they are seldom are seen in home aquaria (wanna guess why?)

Thanks Tom! That is some great info!