Coral Database on R2R??

[Azurel]

Submitted by: Azurel
Scientific Name: Ricordea Florida
Family:Corallimorph
Behavior: passive/ semi-aggressive when touching other corals
Hosts Zooxanthellae: yes
Color variations: myriad of colors,orange,blue,green, pink,multiple colors in single polyp

Needs:

Water current: low/med
Iodine supplement: yes/ but test for levels
Calcium Supplement: standard parameter levels
Trace Elements Supplement: water changes are enough

Needs meaty foods: no but will accept supplemental feedings
Needs Phytoplankton: no same as above
Needs Microplankton: no
Lighting: Can handle med high light from MH and T-5 lamps
Care level: beginner

Likes meaty foods: yes
Likes Phytoplankton: yes
Likes Microplankton: yes

Description: One of the most prized corallimorphs or mushrooms for their intense color and ease of care. The myriad of colors is what draws most hobbyist to this mushroom, multiple oranges,blues,greens,yellow, pinks and multi-colored polyps have drawn collectors and hobbyist alike to collecting this coral to their tank for years. Of all mushroom corals Ricordea is one of the few that continue to draw attention on a regular basis. Being collected in Florida and Caribbean waters the U.S. market continues to be the leader
having this King of the corallimorph in their tanks.

 

[Russellaqua]

Submitted by: Russellaqua
Scientific Name: Astreopora myriophthalma, A. scabra
Family:Acriporiidae
Behavior: Passive
Hosts Zooxanthellae: yes
Color variations: Typically red, may have green polyps

Needs:

Water current: medium to high
Iodine supplement: yes
Calcium Supplement: yes
Trace Elements Supplement: yes

Needs meaty foods: no
Needs Phytoplankton: no
Needs Microplankton: no
Lighting: medium to high
Care level: moderate

Likes meaty foods: no
Likes Phytoplankton: yes
Likes Microplankton: yes

Description: Astreopora sp. is a not terribly commonly kept coral, but is beautiful non-the-less for its' often nearly perfectly round shapes. A good hardy coral suitable for moderately experienced reefers.

Astreopora myriophthalma

Astreopora scabra

 

[Russellaqua]

Plate coral
Submitted by: Russellaqua
Scientific Name: Fungia repanda
Family:Fungiidae
Behavior: Passive
Hosts Zooxanthellae: yes
Color variations: Nearly any color

Needs:

Water current: low to high
Iodine supplement: yes
Calcium Supplement: yes
Trace Elements Supplement: yes

Needs meaty foods: yes to thrive
Needs Phytoplankton: no
Needs Microplankton: no
Lighting: medium to high
Care level: easy

Likes meaty foods: yes
Likes Phytoplankton: yes
Likes Microplankton: yes

Description: Fungia repanda begins life attached to a rock, often in small colonies and then detaches itself with maturity. A very hardy coral for the aquarium the variety of colors is sure to please anyone.

 

[Russellaqua]

Colt coral, finger leather, blushing leather
Submitted by: Russellaqua
Scientific Name: Cladiella sp.
Family:Alcyoniidae
Behavior: Passive
Hosts Zooxanthellae: yes
Color variations: purple, tan

Needs:

Water current: moderate to high
Iodine supplement: yes
Calcium Supplement: no
Trace Elements Supplement: yes

Needs meaty foods: no
Needs Phytoplankton: no
Needs Microplankton: no
Lighting: medium to high
Care level: easy

Likes meaty foods: no
Likes Phytoplankton: yes
Likes Microplankton: yes

Description: Cladiella sp. can grow quite large (greater than 20 cm tall) and is slippery to the touch. It is very similar to Sinularia sp. and sclerite exam is the only definitive way to distinguish between the two genera.

 

[Russellaqua]

Toadstool
Submitted by: Russellaqua
Scientific Name: Sarcophyton sp.
Family:Alcyoniidae
Behavior: Passive
Hosts Zooxanthellae: yes
Color variations: tan, yellow, some with green polyps

Needs:

Water current: moderate to high
Iodine supplement: yes
Calcium Supplement: no
Trace Elements Supplement: yes

Needs meaty foods: no
Needs Phytoplankton: no
Needs Microplankton: no
Lighting: medium to high
Care level: easy

Likes meaty foods: no
Likes Phytoplankton: yes
Likes Microplankton: yes

Description: Sarcophyton sp. can grow to the size of a basketball but is easily propogating through fragging to reduce the size. Some specimens have short polyps while others are quite long. Sarcophyton elegans is characteristically yellow with a ruffled appearance.

 

[Russellaqua]

Colt/***** coral
Submitted by: Russellaqua
Scientific Name: Klyxum sp.
Family:Alcyoniidae
Behavior: Passive
Hosts Zooxanthellae: yes
Color variations: tan

Needs:

Water current: moderate to high
Iodine supplement: yes
Calcium Supplement: no
Trace Elements Supplement: yes

Needs meaty foods: no
Needs Phytoplankton: no
Needs Microplankton: no
Lighting: medium to high
Care level: easy

Likes meaty foods: no
Likes Phytoplankton: yes
Likes Microplankton: yes

Description: Klyxum sp. is not usually found in the aquarium but its' unique shape adds interest. It is closely related to the colt coral and care requirements are the same.

 

[Russellaqua]

Sea Whip
Submitted by: Russellaqua
Scientific Name: Pterogorgia sp.
Family:Gorgoniidae
Behavior: Passive
Hosts Zooxanthellae: yes
Color variations: tan, purple, yellow

Needs:

Water current: moderate to high
Iodine supplement: no
Calcium Supplement: no
Trace Elements Supplement: yes

Needs meaty foods: no
Needs Phytoplankton: no
Needs Microplankton: no
Lighting: medium to high
Care level: easy

Likes meaty foods: no
Likes Phytoplankton: yes
Likes Microplankton: yes

Description: Pterogorgia sp. grows very large (over 22 cm) and can take over a tank. It is easily propagated using standard gorgonian techniques. The edges take on a fuzzy appearance when the polyps are out. It should be noted that gorgonians are not true corals as they belong to order Gorgonacea, and corals belong to order Scleractinia.

 

[Russellaqua]

Sea Whip
Submitted by: Russellaqua
Scientific Name: Pseudoterogorgia sp.
Family:Gorgoniidae
Behavior: Passive
Hosts Zooxanthellae: yes
Color variations: tan, purple, yellow

Needs:

Water current: moderate to high
Iodine supplement: no
Calcium Supplement: no
Trace Elements Supplement: yes

Needs meaty foods: no
Needs Phytoplankton: no
Needs Microplankton: no
Lighting: medium to high
Care level: easy

Likes meaty foods: no
Likes Phytoplankton: yes
Likes Microplankton: yes

Description: Pseudoterogorgia sp. grows very large (over 22 cm) and can take over a tank. It is easily propagated using standard gorgonian techniques. The edges take on a fuzzy appearance when the polyps are out. It should be noted that gorgonians are not true corals as they belong to order Gorgonacea, and corals belong to order Scleractinia. It is common for them to shed their skin in an effort to remove algae.

Pseudopterogorgia bipinnata
Photo courtesy of Coral Keeper

 

[Russellaqua]

Yellow polyps
Submitted by: Russellaqua
Scientific Name: Parazoanthus gracilis (there is some speculation that the species name will be changed)
Familyarazoanthidae
Behavior: Passive
Hosts Zooxanthellae: yes
Color variations: yellow

Needs:

Water current: any
Iodine supplement: no
Calcium Supplement: no
Trace Elements Supplement: yes

Needs meaty foods: no
Needs Phytoplankton: no
Needs Microplankton: no
Lighting: any
Care level: easy

Likes meaty foods: no
Likes Phytoplankton: yes
Likes Microplankton: yes

Description: These are common hitchhikers on live rock and are quite distinctive in appearance being totally yellow. The species name of gracilis may soon be abandoned as the entire genus is in a state of taxonomic flux. Overall, these are great beginner soft corals and add lots of color to the tank.

 

[Russellaqua]

Finger leather
Submitted by: Russellaqua
Scientific Name: Sinularia sp.
Family:Alcyoniidae
Behavior: Passive
Hosts Zooxanthellae: yes
Color variations: yellow

Needs:

Water current: moderate to high
Iodine supplement: yes
Calcium Supplement: no
Trace Elements Supplement: yes

Needs meaty foods: no
Needs Phytoplankton: no
Needs Microplankton: no
Lighting: medium to high
Care level: easy

Likes meaty foods: no
Likes Phytoplankton: yes
Likes Microplankton: yes

Description: Sinularia sp. can grow quite large (greater than 20 cm tall) and is slippery to the touch. It is very similar to Cladiella sp. and sclerite exam is the only definitive way to distinguish between the two genera.

 

[Russellaqua]

Tooth coral
Submitted by: Russellaqua
Scientific Name: Galaxea fascicularis, G. horrescens
Family:Oculinidae
Behavior: aggressive
Hosts Zooxanthellae: yes
Color variations: red, tan, green

Needs:

Water current: moderate to high
Iodine supplement: yes
Calcium Supplement: yes
Trace Elements Supplement: yes

Needs meaty foods: no
Needs Phytoplankton: no
Needs Microplankton: no
Lighting: medium to high
Care level: moderate

Likes meaty foods: yes
Likes Phytoplankton: yes
Likes Microplankton: yes

Description: Galaxea sp. is a hardy coral with distinct septa giving it the name "tooth coral." The corallites also extend beyond the coenosteum furthering this appearance. Long sweeper tentacles come out at night and will sting nearby corals as this is a quite aggressive coral.

G. fascicularis

G. horrescens

 

[Russellaqua]

Porites
Submitted by: Russellaqua
Scientific Name: Porites cylindrica, P. rus
Familyoritidae
Behavior: passive
Hosts Zooxanthellae: yes
Color variations: yellow, green, purple, tan

Needs:

Water current: high
Iodine supplement: yes
Calcium Supplement: yes
Trace Elements Supplement: yes

Needs meaty foods: no
Needs Phytoplankton: no
Needs Microplankton: no
Lighting: high
Care level: moderate

Likes meaty foods: yes
Likes Phytoplankton: yes
Likes Microplankton: yes

Description: This coral can take on any shape is is often called "christmas tree worm rock" because fan worms often live within the coral giving the appearance of christmas trees that dart in and out of the coral. Porites rus is characterized by a plate-like habit, and Porites cylindrica forms towering branches.

P. cylindrica

P. rus

 

[Russellaqua]

Pocillopora
Submitted by: Russellaqua
Scientific Name: Pocillopora damicornis, P. verrucosa
Familyocilloporidae
Behavior: passive
Hosts Zooxanthellae: yes
Color variations: yellow, green, purple, tan

Needs:

Water current: high
Iodine supplement: yes
Calcium Supplement: yes
Trace Elements Supplement: yes

Needs meaty foods: no
Needs Phytoplankton: no
Needs Microplankton: no
Lighting: high
Care level: moderate

Likes meaty foods: no
Likes Phytoplankton: yes
Likes Microplankton: yes

Description: This coral forms dense, branched structures. Polyps may be a different color from the base skeleton. When polyped out it takes on a fuzzy appearance.

P. damicornis

 

[Russellaqua]

Birdnest
Submitted by: Russellaqua
Scientific Name: Seriatopora histrix, S. guttatus, S. caliendrum
Familyocilloporidae
Behavior: passive
Hosts Zooxanthellae: yes
Color variations: yellow, green, purple, tan

Needs:

Water current: high
Iodine supplement: yes
Calcium Supplement: yes
Trace Elements Supplement: yes

Needs meaty foods: no
Needs Phytoplankton: no
Needs Microplankton: no
Lighting: high
Care level: moderate

Likes meaty foods: no
Likes Phytoplankton: yes
Likes Microplankton: yes

Description: This coral forms delicate intertwining branches giving it the name birdnest. Branch tips may be a different color than the rest of the animal, and the polyps may take on a different coloration as well, most notably the green polyps on a brown skeleton often seen in S. guttatus.

S. histrix

 

[Russellaqua]

Spiny cup coral
Submitted by: Russellaqua
Scientific Name: Pectinia paeonia
Familyectinidae
Behavior: passive
Hosts Zooxanthellae: yes
Color variations: green, tan, blue

Needs:

Water current: low to high
Iodine supplement: yes
Calcium Supplement: yes
Trace Elements Supplement: yes

Needs meaty foods: no
Needs Phytoplankton: no
Needs Microplankton: no
Lighting: high
Care level: moderate

Likes meaty foods: yes
Likes Phytoplankton: yes
Likes Microplankton: yes

Description: This coral is a difficult shipper as the spines often break leading to infection and death in many cases. As such it has not become a widely popular specimen. Mouths are found deep between the spines.

 

[Russellaqua]

Fire coral
Submitted by: Russellaqua
Scientific Name: Millepora sp.
Family:Milleporidae
Behavior: aggressive
Hosts Zooxanthellae: yes
Color variations: tan, red, yellow

Needs:

Water current: low to high
Iodine supplement: yes
Calcium Supplement: yes
Trace Elements Supplement: yes

Needs meaty foods: no
Needs Phytoplankton: no
Needs Microplankton: no
Lighting: moderate to high
Care level: beginner

Likes meaty foods: yes
Likes Phytoplankton: yes
Likes Microplankton: yes

Description: Millepora sp. is not a true coral as it does not belong to Order Scleractinia, but rather Order Milleporina. It is nicknamed fire coral because of the strong burning sensation many people feel after having touched it. Bubbles emerge from broken areas. The reason for this is not known.

 

[Russellaqua]

Horn coral
Submitted by: Russellaqua
Scientific Name: Hydnophora microconos, H. excesa, H. grandis, H. rigida
Family:Merulindae
Behavior: moderately aggressive
Hosts Zooxanthellae: yes
Color variations: typically green, yellow, or blue

Needs:

Water current: moderate to high
Iodine supplement: yes
Calcium Supplement: yes
Trace Elements Supplement: yes

Needs meaty foods: no
Needs Phytoplankton: no
Needs Microplankton: no
Lighting: moderate to high
Care level: moderate experience

Likes meaty foods: yes
Likes Phytoplankton: yes
Likes Microplankton: yes

Description: Hydnophora sp. corals form branching and massive colonies. They often fluoresce quite brilliantly under actinic light or 20K MH lighting.

H. microconos

 

[Russellaqua]

Kenya tree
Submitted by: Russellaqua
Scientific Name: Capnella sp.
Family:Nephtheidae
Behavior: passive
Hosts Zooxanthellae: yes
Color variations: green or brown

Needs:

Water current: low to high
Iodine supplement: yes
Calcium Supplement: no
Trace Elements Supplement: yes

Needs meaty foods: no
Needs Phytoplankton: no
Needs Microplankton: no
Lighting: low to high
Care level: beginner

Likes meaty foods: no
Likes Phytoplankton: yes
Likes Microplankton: yes

Description: Capnella sp. is a beautiful branching soft (not true) coral commonly known as Kenya tree. The flesh feels rough unlike the similar Sinularia sp. and Cladiella sp. A great beginner coral.

 

[Russellaqua]

Candy cane, trumpet coral
Submitted by: Russellaqua
Scientific Name: Caulastrea furcata, C. curvata
Family: Faviidae
Behavior: moderately aggressive
Hosts Zooxanthellae: yes
Color variations: green, brown, blue, red

Needs:

Water current: low to high
Iodine supplement: yes
Calcium Supplement: yes
Trace Elements Supplement: yes

Needs meaty foods: no
Needs Phytoplankton: no
Needs Microplankton: no
Lighting: low to high
Care level: beginner

Likes meaty foods: yes
Likes Phytoplankton: yes
Likes Microplankton: yes

Description: Caulastrea sp. forms dense colonies from many branches. It is a great hardy beginner coral and is accepting of most flow and lighting. The wide range of colors has also helped make it popular. Tentacles are typically retracted during the day and come out at night.

C. furcata

 

[ahayes13]

Russellaqua------ Thanks for all the great additions for the database !