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tankgirl · 03-15-2004, 11:55 AM

part 6; (more from liveaquaria - I'd ignore some of the feeding req's info or take it with a grain of salt)

SPS Hard Corals

In general, the Small Polyped Stony (SPS) corals have small polyps on a calcerous (stony) skeleton. In many instances they are either branching or plated. Most species prefer bright light and strong currents, but there are exceptions. They are often cultured from fragments which are broken off. SPS corals are generally considered more difficult to keep than the LPS or soft corals and are generally not recommended for beginners. There is a gradient however, some Large Polyp Stony (LPS) Corals are actually more difficult to maintain than some of the SPS Corals.
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Montipora Coral, Encrusting - Colored
(Montipora sp.)
Montipora Coral, Encrusting - Colored
Quick Stats
Care Level: Moderate
Light: Moderate
Water Flow: Medium
Placement: All
Tank Conditions: 72-78°F; sg 1.023-1.025; pH 8.1-8.4
Color Form: Brown, Green, Pink, Purple
Dominance: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
Ideal Supplements: Calcium, Strontium, Trace Elements
Origin: Indo-Pacific
Family: Acroporidae

The Montipora Encrusting Coral is an small polyp stony (SPS) coral often referred to as Cabbage, Lettuce, Velvet, or Velvet Rock Coral. The Montipora Corals come in a vast variety of forms and colors. Some are encrusting. Others include M. digitata which is generally a branching species; M. stellata which has rough, irregular, upright plates; and M. capricornis which is shaped like a vase. With over 200 species of Montipora documented, determining the exact species of any one specimen can be very difficult, even for scientists. Its genus name, Montipora, is derived from the Latin mons (mountain) plus porus (pores). The Latin name describes its mountainous skeletal structure, which is covered in pores.

The Montipora Encrusting Coral is peaceful and can be placed in close proximity to other similar peaceful corals in the reef aquarium. It is moderately difficult to maintain and should be housed in a mature reef aquarium. It will require medium lighting combined with a medium water movement within the aquarium. For continued good health, it will also require the addition of calcium, strontium, and other trace elements to the water.

It will also benefit from additional food fed weekly in the form of micro-plankton or foods designed for filter feeding invertebrates.
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Porites Coral, Yellow
(Porites spp.)
Porites Coral, Yellow
Quick Stats
Care Level: Moderate
Light: High
Water Flow: Strong
Placement: Middle to Top
Tank Conditions: 72-78°F; sg 1.023-1.025; pH 8.1-8.4
Color Form: Green, Yellow
Dominance: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
Ideal Supplements: Calcium, Strontium, Trace Elements
Origin: Indo-Pacific
Family: Poritidae

The Porites Coral is a small polyp stony (SPS) coral often referred to as the Jeweled Finger, Jewel, or Finger Coral. While the green or yellow branching form is most common, it is found in a variety of shapes and color forms. It is sometimes called the "Christmas Tree Worm Rock" since Christmas Tree Worms are often found attached to its surface. Its polyps are retracted for most of the day, but they emerge at night.

Its behavior is peaceful with only very short tentacles, and can generally be placed closer to other peaceful corals in the reef aquarium. The Porites Coral requires a high light level combined with strong water movement. For continued good health, it will also require the addition of calcium, strontium, and other trace elements to the water.

It will benefit from additional food in the form of micro-plankton or other micro-foods in the evening while its tentacles are visible.
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Birdsnest Coral - Colored
(Seriatopora sp.)
Birdsnest Coral - Colored
Quick Stats
Care Level: Difficult
Light: High
Water Flow: Medium
Placement: Middle to Top
Tank Conditions: 72-78°F; sg 1.023-1.025; pH 8.1-8.4
Color Form: Brown, Cream, Pink, Yellow
Dominance: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
Ideal Supplements: Calcium, Strontium, Trace Elements
Origin: South Pacific
Family: Pocilloporidae

The Birdsnest Coral is also referred to as Seriatopora Bird's Nest, Needle, Finger, or Brush Coral. The genus name, Seriatopora, comes from the Latin Seriatus (arranged in a series) and porus (pore) because its calcium skeleton is composed of a series of pores making up the whole structure. It is a small polyp stony (SPS) coral with very delicate, thin branches with needle-like tips that differentiate it from its closest relative, the Staghorn Corals that have much thicker branches. It is found in a variety of color forms with pink being the most common. It will change colors in the reef aquarium growing darker with age.

The Birdsnest Coral needs strong lighting and moderate water current to maintain its bright colors. For continued good health, it will also require the addition of calcium, strontium, and other trace elements to the water. While it does not require additional food to maintain its health in the reef aquarium, it will feed on micro-plankton and foods designed for filter feeding invertebrates. Many scientists and hobbyists have recently cultured young Birdsnest Corals by fragmenting a mother colony and raising the small branches in impeccable water conditions under intense lighting.
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Staghorn Acropora Coral, Blue
(Acropora sp.)
Staghorn Acropora Coral, Blue
Quick Stats
Care Level: Difficult
Light: High
Water Flow: Strong
Placement: All
Tank Conditions: 72-78°F; sg 1.023-1.025; pH 8.1-8.4
Color Form: All Colors
Dominance: Semi-aggressive
Reef Compatible: Yes
Ideal Supplements: Calcium, Strontium, Trace Elements
Origin: South Pacific
Family: Acroporidae

The Acropora Staghorn Coral resembles the antlers of a deer, and is also referred to as Antler Coral. Acropora Corals can also be found in other shapes: bushy, clustered, bottlebrush, finger, table, columnar, or plate. It is a small polyp stony (SPS) coral and it is very difficult to identify the exact species of any one specimen. Its genus name, Acropora, comes from the combination of the words akron (extremity, Greek) plus porous (pore, Latin), meaning that its calcium skeleton is porous at the extremities or tips of each branch. It is found in a variety of colors, and may change color forms while in the reef aquarium. Acropora Corals are among the fastest growing corals on a reef, and are responsible for the majority of reef formations.

The Acropora Staghorn Coral can be difficult to acclimate, however, once established in the proper environment, it will grow. The growth rate of the Acropora Staghorn Coral is much more rapid than most of the other corals found in an established reef aquarium. It can also be cultured and grow into a new colony from living fragments or broken pieces, if conditions are ideal. The Acropora Staghorn Coral prefers a high light level combined with a strong water current within the aquarium. For continued good health, it will require the addition of supplemental calcium, strontium, and other trace elements to the water.

The symbiotic algae zooxanthellae are hosted within its body, so it receives the majority of its nutritional requirements from photosynthesis. While it does not require additional food to maintain its health in the reef aquarium, it will feed on micro-plankton or foods designed for filter feeding invertebrates.
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Horn Coral, Fluorescent
(Hydnophora sp.)
Horn Coral, Fluorescent
Quick Stats
Care Level: Difficult
Light: High
Water Flow: Strong
Placement: All
Tank Conditions: 72-78°F; sg 1.023-1.025; pH 8.1-8.4
Color Form: Green, Cream
Dominance: Aggressive
Ideal Supplements: Calcium, Strontium, Trace Elements
Origin: South Pacific
Family: Merulinidae

The Hydnophora Horn Coral is a SPS coral often referred to as Knob, Velvet Horn, or Branch Coral. It is often confused with Acropora Coral because of its similar appearance, but they are only distantly related. Its genus name, Hydnophora, comes from the Latin hydnon (tuber) and phero (to carry), which describes its tuberous skeletal base. While members of its genus come in many shapes and colors, it is a branching variety of a cream or bright, fluorescent green color, and very short blunt polyps.

Its behavior is often labeled very aggressive; it will kill most other corals that come in close proximity with it. It is important to provide plenty of room between itself and other corals. The Hydnophora Horn Coral is a difficult coral to maintain, but if given the proper conditions, it will do well in the reef aquarium. It will require a high light level combined with a medium water movement. For continued good health, it will also require the addition of calcium, strontium, and other trace elements to the water.

It will feed on micro-plankton or food designed for filter feeding invertebrates, if it is offered.

03-15-2004, 11:55 AM	#11 (permalink)
tankgirl Reef Lobster Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: So. Ca Posts: 1,476 View Gallery Karma Komment	part 6; (more from liveaquaria - I'd ignore some of the feeding req's info or take it with a grain of salt) SPS Hard Corals In general, the Small Polyped Stony (SPS) corals have small polyps on a calcerous (stony) skeleton. In many instances they are either branching or plated. Most species prefer bright light and strong currents, but there are exceptions. They are often cultured from fragments which are broken off. SPS corals are generally considered more difficult to keep than the LPS or soft corals and are generally not recommended for beginners. There is a gradient however, some Large Polyp Stony (LPS) Corals are actually more difficult to maintain than some of the SPS Corals. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Montipora Coral, Encrusting - Colored (Montipora sp.) Montipora Coral, Encrusting - Colored Quick Stats Care Level: Moderate Light: Moderate Water Flow: Medium Placement: All Tank Conditions: 72-78°F; sg 1.023-1.025; pH 8.1-8.4 Color Form: Brown, Green, Pink, Purple Dominance: Peaceful Reef Compatible: Yes Ideal Supplements: Calcium, Strontium, Trace Elements Origin: Indo-Pacific Family: Acroporidae The Montipora Encrusting Coral is an small polyp stony (SPS) coral often referred to as Cabbage, Lettuce, Velvet, or Velvet Rock Coral. The Montipora Corals come in a vast variety of forms and colors. Some are encrusting. Others include M. digitata which is generally a branching species; M. stellata which has rough, irregular, upright plates; and M. capricornis which is shaped like a vase. With over 200 species of Montipora documented, determining the exact species of any one specimen can be very difficult, even for scientists. Its genus name, Montipora, is derived from the Latin mons (mountain) plus porus (pores). The Latin name describes its mountainous skeletal structure, which is covered in pores. The Montipora Encrusting Coral is peaceful and can be placed in close proximity to other similar peaceful corals in the reef aquarium. It is moderately difficult to maintain and should be housed in a mature reef aquarium. It will require medium lighting combined with a medium water movement within the aquarium. For continued good health, it will also require the addition of calcium, strontium, and other trace elements to the water. It will also benefit from additional food fed weekly in the form of micro-plankton or foods designed for filter feeding invertebrates. ---------------------------------------------------------- Porites Coral, Yellow (Porites spp.) Porites Coral, Yellow Quick Stats Care Level: Moderate Light: High Water Flow: Strong Placement: Middle to Top Tank Conditions: 72-78°F; sg 1.023-1.025; pH 8.1-8.4 Color Form: Green, Yellow Dominance: Peaceful Reef Compatible: Yes Ideal Supplements: Calcium, Strontium, Trace Elements Origin: Indo-Pacific Family: Poritidae The Porites Coral is a small polyp stony (SPS) coral often referred to as the Jeweled Finger, Jewel, or Finger Coral. While the green or yellow branching form is most common, it is found in a variety of shapes and color forms. It is sometimes called the "Christmas Tree Worm Rock" since Christmas Tree Worms are often found attached to its surface. Its polyps are retracted for most of the day, but they emerge at night. Its behavior is peaceful with only very short tentacles, and can generally be placed closer to other peaceful corals in the reef aquarium. The Porites Coral requires a high light level combined with strong water movement. For continued good health, it will also require the addition of calcium, strontium, and other trace elements to the water. It will benefit from additional food in the form of micro-plankton or other micro-foods in the evening while its tentacles are visible. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Birdsnest Coral - Colored (Seriatopora sp.) Birdsnest Coral - Colored Quick Stats Care Level: Difficult Light: High Water Flow: Medium Placement: Middle to Top Tank Conditions: 72-78°F; sg 1.023-1.025; pH 8.1-8.4 Color Form: Brown, Cream, Pink, Yellow Dominance: Peaceful Reef Compatible: Yes Ideal Supplements: Calcium, Strontium, Trace Elements Origin: South Pacific Family: Pocilloporidae The Birdsnest Coral is also referred to as Seriatopora Bird's Nest, Needle, Finger, or Brush Coral. The genus name, Seriatopora, comes from the Latin Seriatus (arranged in a series) and porus (pore) because its calcium skeleton is composed of a series of pores making up the whole structure. It is a small polyp stony (SPS) coral with very delicate, thin branches with needle-like tips that differentiate it from its closest relative, the Staghorn Corals that have much thicker branches. It is found in a variety of color forms with pink being the most common. It will change colors in the reef aquarium growing darker with age. The Birdsnest Coral needs strong lighting and moderate water current to maintain its bright colors. For continued good health, it will also require the addition of calcium, strontium, and other trace elements to the water. While it does not require additional food to maintain its health in the reef aquarium, it will feed on micro-plankton and foods designed for filter feeding invertebrates. Many scientists and hobbyists have recently cultured young Birdsnest Corals by fragmenting a mother colony and raising the small branches in impeccable water conditions under intense lighting. -------------------------------------------------------- Staghorn Acropora Coral, Blue (Acropora sp.) Staghorn Acropora Coral, Blue Quick Stats Care Level: Difficult Light: High Water Flow: Strong Placement: All Tank Conditions: 72-78°F; sg 1.023-1.025; pH 8.1-8.4 Color Form: All Colors Dominance: Semi-aggressive Reef Compatible: Yes Ideal Supplements: Calcium, Strontium, Trace Elements Origin: South Pacific Family: Acroporidae The Acropora Staghorn Coral resembles the antlers of a deer, and is also referred to as Antler Coral. Acropora Corals can also be found in other shapes: bushy, clustered, bottlebrush, finger, table, columnar, or plate. It is a small polyp stony (SPS) coral and it is very difficult to identify the exact species of any one specimen. Its genus name, Acropora, comes from the combination of the words akron (extremity, Greek) plus porous (pore, Latin), meaning that its calcium skeleton is porous at the extremities or tips of each branch. It is found in a variety of colors, and may change color forms while in the reef aquarium. Acropora Corals are among the fastest growing corals on a reef, and are responsible for the majority of reef formations. The Acropora Staghorn Coral can be difficult to acclimate, however, once established in the proper environment, it will grow. The growth rate of the Acropora Staghorn Coral is much more rapid than most of the other corals found in an established reef aquarium. It can also be cultured and grow into a new colony from living fragments or broken pieces, if conditions are ideal. The Acropora Staghorn Coral prefers a high light level combined with a strong water current within the aquarium. For continued good health, it will require the addition of supplemental calcium, strontium, and other trace elements to the water. The symbiotic algae zooxanthellae are hosted within its body, so it receives the majority of its nutritional requirements from photosynthesis. While it does not require additional food to maintain its health in the reef aquarium, it will feed on micro-plankton or foods designed for filter feeding invertebrates. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Horn Coral, Fluorescent (Hydnophora sp.) Horn Coral, Fluorescent Quick Stats Care Level: Difficult Light: High Water Flow: Strong Placement: All Tank Conditions: 72-78°F; sg 1.023-1.025; pH 8.1-8.4 Color Form: Green, Cream Dominance: Aggressive Ideal Supplements: Calcium, Strontium, Trace Elements Origin: South Pacific Family: Merulinidae The Hydnophora Horn Coral is a SPS coral often referred to as Knob, Velvet Horn, or Branch Coral. It is often confused with Acropora Coral because of its similar appearance, but they are only distantly related. Its genus name, Hydnophora, comes from the Latin hydnon (tuber) and phero (to carry), which describes its tuberous skeletal base. While members of its genus come in many shapes and colors, it is a branching variety of a cream or bright, fluorescent green color, and very short blunt polyps. Its behavior is often labeled very aggressive; it will kill most other corals that come in close proximity with it. It is important to provide plenty of room between itself and other corals. The Hydnophora Horn Coral is a difficult coral to maintain, but if given the proper conditions, it will do well in the reef aquarium. It will require a high light level combined with a medium water movement. For continued good health, it will also require the addition of calcium, strontium, and other trace elements to the water. It will feed on micro-plankton or food designed for filter feeding invertebrates, if it is offered.