Q&A

What corals are not photosynthetic?

What corals are not photosynthetic?

These include soft corals such as Chironephthya, Dendronephthya, Scleronephthya, Siphonogorgia and Stereonephthya, gorgonians such as Acabaria, Acalcygorgia, Melithaea and Subergorgia, black corals and wire corals such as Antipathes and Cirripathes, hydrocorals such as Stylaster and Distichopora, and of course stony …

What is an NPS coral?

The acronym “NPS” refers to non-photosynthetic corals, and these types of corals get all their energy from food rather than photosynthetic energy from sunlight. In the wild NPS corals are found in shady caves or deep reefs, and their polyps open at night to catch passing food.

Is gorgonian photosynthetic?

Since it is a photosynthetic gorgonian and gains much of its energy from light it does not require such heavy feeding as other non-photosynthetic gorgonians. Lighting & Flow Requirements: The Purple Lace Photosynthetic Gorgonian requires high water flow and moderate lighting (PAR 150-250).

What do you feed Sun corals?

Sun corals are masters at capturing prey. They will greedily accept Mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, copepods, rotifers as well as meaty foods like pieces of clam, chopped fish or other seafood (scallops, shrimp, etc.). The key is to have the food chopped up into small enough pieces.

What is a NPS tank?

Non-photosynthetic (NPS) dominant tank for advanced hobbyists: corals that require feeding to survive; light isn’t enough for them. Contains reef safe fish and includes corals such as; sun corals, carnations corals, gorgonians, octocorals, and many more.

Are gorgonian corals hard to keep?

Despite their reputation as delicate animals that are difficult to keep in captivity, most photosynthetic gorgonians are extremely hardy, and some even make excellent starter corals for those just getting into the hobby.

Are sun corals aggressive?

Despite the large polyp size, sun corals aren’t aggressive but avoid placing them near other corals which can sting them — especially LPS species and their potent sweeper tentacles.

Are sun corals hard to keep?

Sun coral care Most people who have kept Tubastraea corals in their tanks would say this is a moderately difficult species. Unfortunately, some newer, relatively less-experienced aquarium-keepers have had trouble getting them to open up and accept foods.

Which is easier to care for gorgonian corals or non photosynthetic corals?

Photosynthetic corals are much easier to care for (in some senses) than non-photosynthetic ones, especially in a home aquarium environment. The reason for this is that a constant — meaning, a truly ever-present — source of organic matter needs to be flowing through the water to sustain non-photosynthetic Gorgonian corals.

What are the different types of coral disease?

Pathogens are largely responsible for coral diseases such as Black Aggressive Band, Black Band Disease, Bacterial Infection, Black Overgrowing Cyanophyta, Fungal Infection, and Lethal Orange Disease. Identification of these pathogens is impossible due to the uncertainty of trying to determine the type of pathogen attacking the coral.

What kind of corals are difficult to keep in aquarium?

In this context, the term ‘non-photosynthetic corals’ includes a range of sessile invertebrate groups and soft corals of the Dendronephthya genus (pictured above), wire corals of the Cirripathes genus and Acalycigorgia gorgonians, among others, which have shown to be extremely difficult to maintain on anything like a long-term basis.

What kind of corals are in the octocoral family?

It is divided into several families and suborders that include not only the Soft Corals and Leather Corals, but also the Gorgonians. Many other unique Octocorals include the Sea Pens, Blue Coral, and Mat Polyps like the Organ Pipe Coral and Green Star Polyps.