September Coral of the Month: Tubastrea

[caitrina]

Vicki,

Why does mine look like it is in a ball form and yours looks like it is actually crawling on flat rock? Is this an optical illusion or are they different as in a type of sun coral or do they just grow differently?

[Dentoid]

I have the yellow variety as well and it doesn't seem to open and expand out as much as the orange ones I've seen pictures of.

[caitrina]

Originally Posted by Dentoid

I have the yellow variety as well and it doesn't seem to open and expand out as much as the orange ones I've seen pictures of.

So you should have gotten that black one you saw that time....nah nah nah...oops it was you , right? That saw the balck one?

[Techno-Vicki]

They grow on rocks and can clump into a ball. It is more clumped than it looks, but it is a very large one because there are several clumps. I spotted it a few months ago and had to have it.

[GeeWizzItsMe]

They are so beautiful!!! I wonder why they aren't more common, what kind of flow do they like???

[caitrina]

Originally Posted by GeeWizzItsMe

They are so beautiful!!! I wonder why they aren't more common, what kind of flow do they like???

I think I read they can live in a moderate flow area, but like a high flow. Mine was in a low to moderate flow area at first and when I moved it to high flow area he began staying open much longer without enticement or feeding than he did in the lower flow areas.

[GeeWizzItsMe]

Oh! Thanks for that great info!

[Frankie]

I just posted this but for this threads sake i will again.
I don't target feed mine. Flow is key to keeping these corals so they can feed normal like they do in the ocean. I keep mine on the corner of the reef where the flow from my closed loop brings diatoms and food particles to them naturally. I own 4 of them and they all do great. Target feeding is risky because you rick over feeding by clogging up the polyp. I have to disagree with them not needing light. If this was the case they would be found in pitch black caves. In the wild they are found in very dark light filtered water but they do receive light. I am no expert but i assume they need some light just as we do for our skin. Also the food they feed on grows in the light. Like the diatoms on the glass of my tank that they seem to love so much. This would be great for Boomer to jump in on with his scientific brain

[Dentoid]

Originally Posted by caitrina

So you should have gotten that black one you saw that time....nah nah nah...oops it was you , right? That saw the balck one?

It was black with olive green polyps, it was stunning. They sold pretty fast at my LFS. Eric Borneman wrote in his book, Aquarium Corals...; "Tubastrea micrantha (black sun coral): a poor prospect for most aquarists." This is why I didn't buy it, remembering this line.

I agree with Frankie. Light is required for the intracellular synthsis of certain vitamins. Don't know the process in coral tissue, but it must occur.

[caitrina]

I agree with you about the lighting and would think they do need some light, but I have read in coral books that they can thrive under any lighting condition ranging from complete darkness to high intensity. I , myself wouldn't put them in complete darkness.

[Frankie]

I just found out that I'm going to get my butt handed to me by Boomer (wouldn't be the first time!) for my recent post, so no one make any sudden changes in the way you care and think with sun corals until the old man replies!

[Dentoid]

Uh oh! You are in trouble! He's done it to me too!

[cheeks69]

Originally Posted by aquaman3680

just understand you need to feed every mouth 2-3 times a week. When you get brighter lights you can just put it under a ledge or something. Anything that is non-photosynthetic can be under no lights.

Matt

Very well said Matt !
If you don't have the time or patience to target feed them often then don't get this coral ! Although Frankie has had success without target feeding this isn't the norm.

[GeeWizzItsMe]

Well frankie, from the looks of your avatar it looks like you know when it comes to sun corals!!!

[Frankie]

Thanks dude. I do well with what i know but never assume i know it all and like to check with those I trust. I went and asked Boomer to check on what i posted and am waiting for him to reply. Like Robert said, I tend to break the rules a bit with success but it's not the norm. Thats why my tank journals are labeled "experiment"