I need help to identify OCTOCORAL COLONIES

Island Girl · 01-17-2008, 01:28 PM

Hi all.
I have had many Saltwater tanks in the past, all with the Tropies I cought myself.
Now I am starting a 65 gal tank again.
Here's the question.
I was looking at the laws here in Key Largo FL( I never took coral because I thought All coral was e-legal to take) and I can take "No more than 6 OCTOCORAL colonies". except Sea Fans (Gorgonia flabellum & Gorgonia ventalina).
I know that they have 8 points instead of 6. and are any erect, nonencrusting species of the subclass Octocorallia.

Can someone point me to a site that actually has pictures of Octocoral and their names. The sites I found don't say spicifically if they are in the Octocoral family, such as Gargonia.

I have a second question.
If the coral is attached to a rock (then it is "Live Rock" and I can't take it) so how can I detach it without Killing it. Can I cut it at their base and glue it to my own "Dead rock"? How soon do I have to do this since I am not home when I'm collecting it?

Third question.
I can get really pretty sponges. But again they are attached to rock. Can I cut them off without killing them? and then glue them also? I was told to leave them under water at all times so they have a better chance of survival.

Does the glue also have a sealing effect on the wound I create?

Thank you in advance for all your help. I need it. When I finnaly get this tank going I will send a picture. I scouted out spots for fish already, I found Tangs, Rock Beautys, Sargent Majors, and Sailfin Mollies. Now I have to get them.

Barb (Island Girl)

panmanmatt · 01-17-2008, 01:35 PM

You're best bet would be to contact Florida Fish and Wildlife. They will be able to tell you exactly what you can and can't take along with any permits that you would need.

hma · 01-18-2008, 09:28 PM

Hi Barb ....

on this web side it is answered some of your questions.

Octocorals Home Page

ReefGuy69 · 01-18-2008, 09:33 PM

It was my understanding from speaking to locals when i was in florida that you cannot take anything that is attached so to say like a reef or anything like that. If it breaks off like after a storm or from some other means (Other then your own) then its first come first serve. it didnt matter if it was live rock, coral or anything. I would be sure like they stated to be safe and check with the local wildlife and conserve. They can probably give you some good info.

Island Girl · 01-20-2008, 10:45 AM

Thank you guys for your help.

To penmanmatt- thanks for your input, I already know all the laws, I just didn't know about Octocorals. ( They are not as well informed as you guys are, I've delt with them before).

To hma- Thank you Heinz for the great link to octocorals, I checked out your tanks "Real Beauties" . Mostly soft corals right?

To Reefguy69- Thanks for your reply. I know not to take Live rock, but many times while fishing I would pull up coral by accident and throw it back. Now I know I can keep Octocoral.

lcstorc · 01-20-2008, 10:58 AM

If I remember correctly there is also a limit to the number of corals you can take in a day. At least that used to be the case. It has been a while so it could have changed. I would be very careful on the LR which you already know. They are very particular about that I know.
Best of luck in your collecting. That would be a very challenging and rewarding way to build a reef. Keep us posted with pics. I am very curious to watch it grow.
Are you going to feed live food or try to convert the fish to frozen?

Island Girl · 01-20-2008, 01:50 PM

To Icstorc;
Yes, the limit is no more than 6 Octocoral colonies per person with a license.

mps9506 · 01-20-2008, 04:13 PM

Some extra info, aquarium species info is on pg 15.
I don't know much about harvesting and what is legal to remove from liverrock or not. But all the contact info you would need is in there as well.
http://myfwc.com/marine/commerical/C...egs07-2007.pdf

hma · 01-20-2008, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Island Girl

Thank you guys for your help.

To penmanmatt- thanks for your input, I already know all the laws, I just didn't know about Octocorals. ( They are not as well informed as you guys are, I've delt with them before).

To hma- Thank you Heinz for the great link to octocorals, I checked out your tanks "Real Beauties" . Mostly soft corals right?

To Reefguy69- Thanks for your reply. I know not to take Live rock, but many times while fishing I would pull up coral by accident and throw it back. Now I know I can keep Octocoral.

Hello Barb,

my 115gal is more LPS/SPS dominated (70%) but it looks like soft coral dominated, thats true.

01-17-2008, 01:28 PM	#1 (permalink)
Island Girl Tunicate Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Key Largo, FL Posts: 3 View Gallery Karma Komment	I need help to identify OCTOCORAL COLONIES Hi all. I have had many Saltwater tanks in the past, all with the Tropies I cought myself. Now I am starting a 65 gal tank again. Here's the question. I was looking at the laws here in Key Largo FL( I never took coral because I thought All coral was e-legal to take) and I can take "No more than 6 OCTOCORAL colonies". except Sea Fans (Gorgonia flabellum & Gorgonia ventalina). I know that they have 8 points instead of 6. and are any erect, nonencrusting species of the subclass Octocorallia. Can someone point me to a site that actually has pictures of Octocoral and their names. The sites I found don't say spicifically if they are in the Octocoral family, such as Gargonia. I have a second question. If the coral is attached to a rock (then it is "Live Rock" and I can't take it) so how can I detach it without Killing it. Can I cut it at their base and glue it to my own "Dead rock"? How soon do I have to do this since I am not home when I'm collecting it? Third question. I can get really pretty sponges. But again they are attached to rock. Can I cut them off without killing them? and then glue them also? I was told to leave them under water at all times so they have a better chance of survival. Does the glue also have a sealing effect on the wound I create? Thank you in advance for all your help. I need it. When I finnaly get this tank going I will send a picture. I scouted out spots for fish already, I found Tangs, Rock Beautys, Sargent Majors, and Sailfin Mollies. Now I have to get them. Barb (Island Girl)

01-17-2008, 01:35 PM	#2 (permalink)
panmanmatt Golden Moray Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Waretown, NJ Posts: 2,028 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: I need help to identify OCTOCORAL COLONIES You're best bet would be to contact Florida Fish and Wildlife. They will be able to tell you exactly what you can and can't take along with any permits that you would need. __________________ The mind is like a parachute, it only works when opened. (\__/) (='.'=) (")_(")

01-18-2008, 09:28 PM	#3 (permalink)
hma Golden Moray Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Frankfurt, Germany Posts: 2,200 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: I need help to identify OCTOCORAL COLONIES Hi Barb .... on this web side it is answered some of your questions. Octocorals Home Page __________________ Heinz Luck is a good health and a bad memory (Albert Schweitzer) Balling Method : Balling +Plus Video : Centropyge potteri Tools : Balling Calculator My Chronicle and ReefDreams HM-Aquarium Photo Calendar 2008 "IF SHARKS DIE, THE SEA DIES"

01-18-2008, 09:33 PM	#4 (permalink)
ReefGuy69 Plate Coral Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Syracuse, NY Posts: 747 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: I need help to identify OCTOCORAL COLONIES It was my understanding from speaking to locals when i was in florida that you cannot take anything that is attached so to say like a reef or anything like that. If it breaks off like after a storm or from some other means (Other then your own) then its first come first serve. it didnt matter if it was live rock, coral or anything. I would be sure like they stated to be safe and check with the local wildlife and conserve. They can probably give you some good info. __________________ Dennis ________ http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...journal-3.html 55gal AGA w/ built in overflow 15 gal acrylic DIY sump/fuge 75lbs Fiji Live Rock 45lbs of Live Sand 1-1/2inch (1) 96 watt Super Blue Actinic Power Compact (2) 96 Watt 10,000k Power Compacts (2) Ebo Jager 200 watt heaters Seaclone 150 Skimmer (2) Hagen 50's Power Heads for flow (1) Hagen 70 Return Pump DIY ATO system (5 Gal) Mini Aqua Lights for fuge (10k/Actinic03) TLF 150 Phosban Reactor 12X turnover rate 2 Ocellaris Clownfish, 1 Scarlet Cleaner Shrimp, 1 Peppermint Shrimp, Neon Green Hairy Mushrooms, Red Zoanthus Polyps.

01-20-2008, 10:45 AM	#5 (permalink)
Island Girl Tunicate Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Key Largo, FL Posts: 3 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: I need help to identify OCTOCORAL COLONIES Thank you guys for your help. To penmanmatt- thanks for your input, I already know all the laws, I just didn't know about Octocorals. ( They are not as well informed as you guys are, I've delt with them before). To hma- Thank you Heinz for the great link to octocorals, I checked out your tanks "Real Beauties" . Mostly soft corals right? To Reefguy69- Thanks for your reply. I know not to take Live rock, but many times while fishing I would pull up coral by accident and throw it back. Now I know I can keep Octocoral.

01-20-2008, 10:58 AM	#6 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 20,899 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: I need help to identify OCTOCORAL COLONIES If I remember correctly there is also a limit to the number of corals you can take in a day. At least that used to be the case. It has been a while so it could have changed. I would be very careful on the LR which you already know. They are very particular about that I know. Best of luck in your collecting. That would be a very challenging and rewarding way to build a reef. Keep us posted with pics. I am very curious to watch it grow. Are you going to feed live food or try to convert the fish to frozen? __________________ Peace LYNN You can't change the past but you can change how you view it. A reef tank is like a racecar. The faster you go the harder you crash. Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g of sunshine Every 60 seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back. In Loving Memory Of Z 01/22/07 - 08/19/08

01-20-2008, 01:50 PM	#7 (permalink)
Island Girl Tunicate Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Key Largo, FL Posts: 3 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: I need help to identify OCTOCORAL COLONIES To Icstorc; Yes, the limit is no more than 6 Octocoral colonies per person with a license.

01-20-2008, 04:13 PM	#8 (permalink)
mps9506 Totally stoked dude Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 7,518 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: I need help to identify OCTOCORAL COLONIES Some extra info, aquarium species info is on pg 15. I don't know much about harvesting and what is legal to remove from liverrock or not. But all the contact info you would need is in there as well. http://myfwc.com/marine/commerical/C...egs07-2007.pdf __________________ Mike "The Bandwith Bandit" Help Build Reefpedia Premium Membership Available! Support Reef Sanctuary Sponsors

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)