Help IDing Coral

cuffem · 10-29-2003, 05:56 PM

Hello all, I am new to this site and looking for some help. I am trying to ID this coral I bought. Not sure if I was misinformed by the LFS or what but I was told it was a type of leather coral similar to the Colt Corals. Once again I am unsure and looking to ID it and learn a bit more about it such as its requirements. I would hate to see this beautiful animal die. Also can anyone ID what is on the rock beside it? The purple stuff with green spots on it, is that a type of sponge? I appreciate any help.

The pic is posted in the soft coral photo gallery under Cuffem

madman19710 · 10-29-2003, 06:30 PM

it looks like a tree coral of some kind i do best putting them in moderate current

reefrunner69 · 10-29-2003, 08:27 PM

Looks like an unhappy dendronephthya (spelling?), it is a non-photosynthetic coral that has a tremendously poor survival rate in the aquarium.

cuffem · 10-29-2003, 08:59 PM

Thats what I was afraid of. Should I attempt to keep it alive, or dispose of it, or try to see if I can find someone who is capable of keeping this animal.

reefrunner69 · 10-29-2003, 09:04 PM

Personally I would return the coral to the LFS based on the fact they sold it to you as a photosynthetic leather coral, even compared it to a colt coral, the quintesintial beginners coral. IMO, if you can't return it your should definitely try to keep it alive or donate it to a public aquarium that might be able to keep it.

***Reefland*** · 10-29-2003, 11:01 PM

I agree. The Carnation Coral (as they are commonly referred to and is what you picture looks like) simply will not last long term in captivity. They are a very beautiful coral which is why people buy them and why they are continually imported but not enough is known about them. We know they are non-photosynthetic but don't know enough about their feeding requirements to keep them alive. Whether you keep it or return it to the store, it is inevitably going to die so you might as well try to return it and get some store credit. If you desire to keep it and try it yourself, try to feed ample amounts of plankton; DT's, ESV, whatever you can get your hands on.

Regards,
Scott Z.

10-29-2003, 05:56 PM	#1
cuffem New in Town Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Texas Posts: 3	Help IDing Coral Hello all, I am new to this site and looking for some help. I am trying to ID this coral I bought. Not sure if I was misinformed by the LFS or what but I was told it was a type of leather coral similar to the Colt Corals. Once again I am unsure and looking to ID it and learn a bit more about it such as its requirements. I would hate to see this beautiful animal die. Also can anyone ID what is on the rock beside it? The purple stuff with green spots on it, is that a type of sponge? I appreciate any help. The pic is posted in the soft coral photo gallery under Cuffem

10-29-2003, 08:27 PM	#3
reefrunner69 Just Moved In Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Cedar Key, FL Posts: 31	Looks like an unhappy dendronephthya (spelling?), it is a non-photosynthetic coral that has a tremendously poor survival rate in the aquarium. __________________ Kevin Hanlon's Razor: "Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity." -Anon.

10-29-2003, 09:04 PM	#5
reefrunner69 Just Moved In Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Cedar Key, FL Posts: 31	Personally I would return the coral to the LFS based on the fact they sold it to you as a photosynthetic leather coral, even compared it to a colt coral, the quintesintial beginners coral. IMO, if you can't return it your should definitely try to keep it alive or donate it to a public aquarium that might be able to keep it. __________________ Kevin Hanlon's Razor: "Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity." -Anon.

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10-29-2003, 06:30 PM	#2
madman19710 Tenant Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: new castle indiana Posts: 88	it looks like a tree coral of some kind i do best putting them in moderate current

10-29-2003, 08:59 PM	#4
cuffem New in Town Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Texas Posts: 3	Thats what I was afraid of. Should I attempt to keep it alive, or dispose of it, or try to see if I can find someone who is capable of keeping this animal.

10-29-2003, 11:01 PM	#6
*Reefland* Owner Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Bardstown, KY Posts: 13,027	I agree. The Carnation Coral (as they are commonly referred to and is what you picture looks like) simply will not last long term in captivity. They are a very beautiful coral which is why people buy them and why they are continually imported but not enough is known about them. We know they are non-photosynthetic but don't know enough about their feeding requirements to keep them alive. Whether you keep it or return it to the store, it is inevitably going to die so you might as well try to return it and get some store credit. If you desire to keep it and try it yourself, try to feed ample amounts of plankton; DT's, ESV, whatever you can get your hands on. Regards, Scott Z.

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