 |
This particular species of large polyp
stony corals are quite common in the aquatic industry
within the UK.
At present we at Atlantis Aquatics have not attempted
to propagate this species as the impact on the natural
reefs due to importation is minimal according to
most 'experts'.
This species is abundant in nature and is very possible
to reproduce in the home aquarium by asexual budding
and planula release. |
However, as a growing concern with reef conservation
we believe that animals imported from the wild should
be cared for by aquarists in the best possible way
to minimize imports as well as lowering losses by
hobbyists due to poor information and starvation
of these most exquisite corals.
In our experience we have found that live foods
bring the best in these corals, meaty frozen foods
soaked in a vitamin before feeding also make these
animals 'show'.
Below is a feeding method used by ourselves with
newly imported animals using newly
hatched brine shrimp. Adult brine shrimp are
as good but rearing the shrimp yourself on a nutrient
and vitamin enriched diet is preferable.
|
 |
This animal is relatively dormant after import.
|
 |
A coke bottle with the bottom removed and a supply
of live newly hatched brine shrimp are the tools
for this particular feeding method.
|
 |
Ensure you have sterilised your bottle BEFORE
you enter the water.
|
 |
Slowly lower your bottle over the specimen to
be targeted.
|
|
|
Seat the bottle firmly over the animal but do
not push too deep into the sand bed if you have
one. As you can see, the animal is starting to
react to the change in environment already.
|
 |
Begin to pour the live food into the
removed bottle top. This will fill the chamber with
food as you have secured the bottom to stop any
release. |
 |
Almost immediately you can see the polyps start
to emerge. This pic was taken within the first
45 seconds.
|
 |
Again, the animal is reacting to the
influx of food. Note the stony corallite under the
base of the polyps that is covered in flesh. |
 |
99% of the polyps are are or have extended now
and the animal is actively feeding.
|
 |
After passing food to the gut via nematocyst laden
polyps, the polyps soon extend again for second
helpings!
|
 |
Note the mouth protruding to the extent of showing
the gullet (pharynx). This concludes that the animal
was and still is hungry for nutritious foods. |
|
We hope you can learn a little from this page.
The method we use can be adapted for deeper tanks
using a little common sense and ingenuity.
Remember that Sun corals have no zooxanthellae
and cannot use light as a source of nutrition.
Target feeding is a must even in a well established
mature system for best results.
Thanks for reading.
|
