Archive for 'Coral Articles'

Class Anthozoa, Subclass Zoantharia, Order Zoanthidea

Common names: zoos, zoanthids, button polyps (sometimes inconsistently given names like “fire and ice” and “people eaters” based on phenotypic characteristics such as coloration and size that may have little or nothing to do with actual species identification)

Natural origin: wide-ranging, Indo-pacific

Sensitivity (Level 1): Zoanthids are usually quite tolerant and easy to care for.

Feeding: ...

Class Anthozoa, Order Alcyonacea, Family Xeniidae, Genus Xenia

Common names: pulse coral, Xenia

Natural origin: Indo-Pacific

Sensitivity (Level 1): Though generally very easy to care for, these corals can be somewhat unpredictable. Some colonies show impressive tolerance and forgiveness of varying conditions while others do not. They are also notorious for sudden and unexplainable death and do not ship well.

Feeding: Specific ...

Class Anthozoa, Order Scleractinia, Family Dendrophylliidae, Genus Turbinaria

Common names: pagoda cup coral, turban coral, vase coral

Natural origin: Indo-Pacific

Sensitivity (Level 1 to 2): These corals are generally tolerant, forgiving and without much need for specialized care. Always avoid purchasing dyed corals.

Feeding: Turbinaria spp. have medium-sized polyps and good prey capture ability. They feed on a variety of foods including ...

Class Anthozoa, Order Scleractinia, Family Trachyphylliidae

Common names: lobed brain coral, open brain coral

Natural origin: Indo-Pacific

Sensitivity (Level 2): These corals are generally tolerant, but need to be fed well.

Feeding: Trachyphyllidae have impressive prey capture ability. They will ready eat a variety of meaty aquarium foods. Be forewarned, they can even eat small aquarium fish!

Lighting (Level 4 to ...

Class Anthozoa, Subclass Hexacorallia, Order Scleractinia, Family Dendrophylliidae, Genus Tubastraea

Common names: yellow or orange sun coral, orange or yellow sun polyp, black sun coral

Natural origin: Indo-Pacific

Sensitivity (Level 4): Azooxanthellate sun coral have demanding feeding requirements that can make them difficult to care for. They are prone to tissue recession which may be a sign of starvation.

Feeding: These corals ...

Class Anthozoa, Order Scleractinia, Family Pocilloporidae, Genus Seriatopora

Common names: bird’s nest coral

Natural origin: Indo-Pacific

Sensitivity (Level 2 to 3): These corals are generally less tolerant of unstable conditions. Sensitivity depends heavily on particular species, place of origin, and if caught wild or aquacultured.

Feeding: A small polyped coral with poor prey capture ability, they need food of very small particle ...

Class Anthozoa, Order Scleractinia, Family Poritidae, Genus Porites

Common names: boulder coral, Christmas tree worm rock

Natural origin: Indo-Pacific

Sensitivity (Level 3 to 4): These corals can be quite unforgiving and intolerant. They are not impossible to keep but demand well established aquariums and experienced care.

Feeding: A small polyped coral, they have poor prey capture ability and feed only on very ...

Class Anthozoa, Order Scleractinia, Family Pocilloporidae, Genera Pocillopora and Stylophora

Common names: cauliflower coral

Natural origin: Indo-Pacific

Sensitivity (Level 3 to 4): These corals can be quite sensitive and intolerant of unstable conditions. Though not impossible to keep, they require experienced care and well established aquariums.

Feeding: Small polyp corals, they have poor prey capture ability and need food of very small ...

Class Anthozoa, Order Alcyonacea, Family Tubiporidae, Genus Tubipora

Common names: pipe organ coral, organpipe coral

Natural origin: Indo-Pacific

Sensitivity (Level 3 to 4): These corals can be difficult to keep because they are difficult to feed. They tend to fair better in established aquariums with well populated sand beds. The manner of collection may be a factor in the difficulty of maintaining these ...

Class Anthozoa, Order Scleractinia, Family Pectiniidae, Genera Echinophyllia, Oxypora, Mycedium and Pectinia

Common Names: chalice coral

Natural Origin: Indo-Pacific

Sensitivity (Level 2 to 3): Though not exactly beginner corals, most are tolerant and forgiving. Please note that they have delicate skeletons that break easily. Handle with care.

Feeding: Most species feed at night with long feeding tentacles. They generally have impressive prey ...