Looking to add some living art into your life? Fintastic’s aquatic experts can build your dream aquarium at your home or business. Saltwater and freshwater aquariums make for a great sensory experience for children and adults. Watch the video below to help get inspired. Call us when you are ready to discuss a custom aquarium… Read more »
Aquarium Services of Charlotte Blog
Fish for the Beginning Marine Aquarist
The beauty and successful maintenance of a saltwater aquarium requires attention not only to the chemical and temperature balance of the water, but also to the temperamental aspect of the fish themselves. It is essential that you balance their personalities (thereby increasing compatibility) by grouping passive fish with other passive fish and aggressive fish with… Read more »
Acropora
Class Anthozoa, Subclass Hexacorallia, Order Scleractinia, Family Acroporidae, Genus Acropora Common names: staghorn coral, table coral, branching or plating Acropora Natural origin: Indo-Pacific, Caribbean Sensitivity (Level 3 to 4): Acropora species are relatively intolerant of unstable and less than ideal conditions. Sensitivity varies widely depending on the particular species and whether wild or aquacultured. To… Read more »
Porites
Class Anthozoa, Order Scleractinia, Family Poritidae, Genus Porites Common names: boulder coral, Christmas tree worm rock Natural origin: Indo-Pacific Sensitivity (Level 3 to 4): These corals can be quite unforgiving and intolerant. They are not impossible to keep but demand well established aquariums and experienced care. Feeding: A small polyped coral, they have poor prey… Read more »
Acanthastrea
Class Anthozoa, Subclass Hexacorallia, Order Scleractinia, Family Mussidea, Genera Acanthastrea Common names: moon coral, acan Natural origin: Indo-Pacific Sensitivity (Level 2): Care difficulty for these corals depends on species, but most are generally tolerant and forgiving when healthy. Feeding: These corals have strong prey capture ability. In addition to feeding tentacles, these corals are also… Read more »
Pocillopora
Pocillopora (and Stylophora) Class Anthozoa, Order Scleractinia, Family Pocilloporidae, Genera Pocillopora and Stylophora Common names: cauliflower coral Natural origin: Indo-Pacific Sensitivity (Level 3 to 4): These corals can be quite sensitive and intolerant of unstable conditions. Though not impossible to keep, they require experienced care and well established aquariums. Feeding: Small polyp corals, they have… Read more »
Clove Coral
Class Anthozoa, Order Alcyonacea, Family Clavulariidae, Genera Cornularia and Clavularia Common names: clove polyp coral, clove coral, eight tentacle polyps Natural origin: Indo-Pacific Sensitivity (Level 1): These are usually very tolerant and forgiving corals. Feeding: The coral’s feathery polyp tentacles help it catch food suspended in water. They feed on foods of smaller particle size…. Read more »
Pipe Organ Coral
Class Anthozoa, Order Alcyonacea, Family Tubiporidae, Genus Tubipora Common names: pipe organ coral, organpipe coral Natural origin: Indo-Pacific Sensitivity (Level 3 to 4): These corals can be difficult to keep because they are difficult to feed. They tend to fair better in established aquariums with well populated sand beds. The manner of collection may be… Read more »
Caulastrea
Class Anthozoa, Order Scleractinia, Family Faviidae, Genus Caulastrea Common Names: torch coral, candy cane coral, candy coral, trumpet coral, bullseye coral, cat’s eye coral Natural Origin: Indo-Pacific Sensitivity (Level 1 to 2): Though sensitivity will depend somewhat on the individual coral, most are quite tolerant and forgiving. Feeding: These corals have impressive prey capture ability…. Read more »
Pectiniidae
Class Anthozoa, Order Scleractinia, Family Pectiniidae, Genera Echinophyllia, Oxypora, Mycedium and Pectinia Common Names: chalice coral Natural Origin: Indo-Pacific Sensitivity (Level 2 to 3): Though not exactly beginner corals, most are tolerant and forgiving. Please note that they have delicate skeletons that break easily. Handle with care. Feeding: Most species feed at night with long… Read more »