Dendronephthia... difficult, but worth it.

[Dragonne]

OK, I know this will bring up some contraversy, but Dendronephthia are some of the most beautiful softies out there. I saw a small one at the LFS a while ago, thought that my tank was sufficiently settled in (almost 3 years at the time) so I gave it a shot.. after 5 weeks of being sure I wanted to put the effort into it. It's not the easiest to keep, in fact it's one of the hardest. I have just gotten lucky, with a little help from as much research as possible on them BEFORE I bought it. I liquid feed the tank daily (DT's phyto and Microvore), leave a little detrius in the bottom, and don't skim the reef tank (skimming happens in the sump, not the tank itself). It's interesting to observe it's habits since it's not the same photosynthetic habits of most other softies. During the daytime light cycle, it will expand up to 6-7" into the edge of the nearby powerhead's direct current for an hour or two, then retract to 3-4", then expand again. It's under an overhang, so it's not directly lit from the tank lights except when it expands. Once it's dark, it stretches out to 10-12" long along the bottom of the tank fully into the powerhead's flow. It's been doing well for quite a while, always active and full.

So anyway, here's the money shot just before the primary lights cut off earlier this evening, about 6" out from the base:



There's a red finger sponge there on the left (doing well down there), and a few sinulara duras to the right (I fragged the primary "leaves" from those spots about 6 weeks ago, and the leftover flesh grew back heh).

It's a wonderful creature, and again, I want to stress that it's not something anyone but advanced reefers should be going out and buying without really doing the research and knowing what you're getting into... and even then consider it for a long time. This is one of those creatures that for the most part should be left in the ocean. I know I probably sound like a hypocrite, but my point is that a few individuals getting into the hobby and ending up being cared for by properly prepared and educated hobbyists is acceptable to me. Irresponsible store owners selling these beautiful, but demanding, creatures to those not ready for the challenge, responsibility, and comittment... that's what burns me up.

Oh, sorry, Let me get down off of this

[Dentoid]

Learn something from it and share it with the rest of us. That will make it worth while. All the best!

[Techno-Vicki]

I agree with Scott. This hobby has evolved because of endeavors like yours that is scientific in nature. Someday, maybe dendronephthias with be less difficult to keep. And I completely agree, my favorite coral; they are truly stunning!

[tektite]

I was just at my LFS today and they had a coral I was admiring -- it looked just like this one. I was planning on looking it up, what are the odds a thread would be started today about that very coral?? Very neat coral, I admire your dedication to keeping it.

[nicoleblkwidow]

I too have always admired these. It's on my no touchy list still until I am willing to give it my all. I already feed my suns, so not going to be a ton more effort on my part. Still not sure my tank has the perfect spot for it yet.

Beautiful piece!!

[Dragonne]

Thanks for the kind and encouraging words all.

The biggest point I want to stress, from my experience of course, is that you MUST have a very established tank. I wouldn't touch one of these until my system was over 3 years old. Believe me, the temptation is incredible when seeing one of these beautiful creatures at a LFS, but they only have them for a few weeks, they are a softie and will look fine for a few weeks with general care. Do NOT let them deceive you. I have always felt that the more beautiful a coral is, the more care and dedication it will take to keep it healthy and beautiful.

I'll keep posting my insights on what I do to care for it when I notice something that I'm doing different than I used to (before I got it). After a while, it all becomes such a regular part of the general requirements of keeping the tanks, it doesn't seem different. A couple things that I do know are different in general than most reef tanks (mentioned a few already):

1) no skimming in the actual reef tank (only in the sump)
2) shared water volume with a FOWLR tank (through the sump)
3) constant noticable particulate matter in the water column of the reef tank
4) small amount of detruis maintained in the bottom of the reef tank
5) high linear current just outside of the normal area of the creature (as I said, it expands into that current when it wants to, but can retreat from it when it so desires)
6) the base of the creature is NOT directly lit, it sits under an overhang, allowing it to expand into or out of the light at will
7) daily feedings of phyto and other micro-planktonic foods (targeted and general in the tank), and varied types
8) meaty foods not targeted, but provided several times a week in the tank to other inhabitants (I do also pour the juice from the thawing of the supermarket food-grade clams and shrimp into the tank)

I'll add more as I notice differences. I hope that no-one takes this as gospel on keeping these creatures. I don't want that responsibility. I'm just conferring my experience with this one individual, and for the most part consider myself lucky to be able to have kept it happy, healthy, and growing for this long.

PS: My Capnella is in a self fragging mode again! It's huge and goes through this every 3-4 months, dropping up to a dozen limbs in a day or two. I've been spending this evening capturing all the little branches that pinched loose today and banding them to small rocks. Guess I'll be looking for some frag recipients in a few months. hehe. I love this hobby!!!

[reefer4200]

i WISH i could keep these gorgeous corals, and definitely some of the most fascinating! One day i will hopefully be there!

[smkndrgn142]

Originally Posted by Dragonne

Thanks for the kind and encouraging words all.

The biggest point I want to stress, from my experience of course, is that you MUST have a very established tank. I wouldn't touch one of these until my system was over 3 years old. Believe me, the temptation is incredible when seeing one of these beautiful creatures at a LFS, but they only have them for a few weeks, they are a softie and will look fine for a few weeks with general care. Do NOT let them deceive you. I have always felt that the more beautiful a coral is, the more care and dedication it will take to keep it healthy and beautiful.

I'll keep posting my insights on what I do to care for it when I notice something that I'm doing different than I used to (before I got it). After a while, it all becomes such a regular part of the general requirements of keeping the tanks, it doesn't seem different. A couple things that I do know are different in general than most reef tanks (mentioned a few already):

1) no skimming in the actual reef tank (only in the sump)
2) shared water volume with a FOWLR tank (through the sump)
3) constant noticable particulate matter in the water column of the reef tank
4) small amount of detruis maintained in the bottom of the reef tank
5) high linear current just outside of the normal area of the creature (as I said, it expands into that current when it wants to, but can retreat from it when it so desires)
6) the base of the creature is NOT directly lit, it sits under an overhang, allowing it to expand into or out of the light at will
7) daily feedings of phyto and other micro-planktonic foods (targeted and general in the tank), and varied types
8) meaty foods not targeted, but provided several times a week in the tank to other inhabitants (I do also pour the juice from the thawing of the supermarket food-grade clams and shrimp into the tank)

I'll add more as I notice differences. I hope that no-one takes this as gospel on keeping these creatures. I don't want that responsibility. I'm just conferring my experience with this one individual, and for the most part consider myself lucky to be able to have kept it happy, healthy, and growing for this long.

PS: My Capnella is in a self fragging mode again! It's huge and goes through this every 3-4 months, dropping up to a dozen limbs in a day or two. I've been spending this evening capturing all the little branches that pinched loose today and banding them to small rocks. Guess I'll be looking for some frag recipients in a few months. hehe. I love this hobby!!!

Thanks so much for this! I was recently sold a rock by a dealer with one of these...it's absolutely beautiful! I'm luck to have a tank that can most likely support it...I've been rearranging the rock lately and I think I have the perfect spot for him! Low light, high flow, going to build a little over-hang...