Class Anthozoa, Order Scleractinia, Family Mussidea, Genera Lobophyllia and Symphyllia Common names: open brain coral, lobed brain coral Natural origin: Indo-Pacific Sensitivity (Level 1 to 2): Sensitivity depends somewhat on species, but most are quite tolerant and forgiving when healthy and well fed. Feeding: These corals have strong prey capture ability. They typically have considerably… Read more »
Heliopora (Blue Coral) Class Anthozoa, Order Helioporacea, Family Helioporidae, Genus Heliopora Common names: Blue Coral, Blue-Ridge Coral Natural origin: Indo-Pacific Sensitivity (Level 2): Usually a fairly tolerant, easy to care for species when fed properly. Feeding: These corals have very small polyps and need to be fed fine particulate foods. Baby brine shrimp, oyster eggs,… Read more »
Class Anthozoa, Subclass Alcyonaria, Class Alcyonacea, Family Nephtheidae, Genus Dendronephthya Common names: carnation corals, cauliflower corals, tree corals Natural origin: Indo-Pacific Sensitivity (Level 5): These soft corals do not survive long in aquariums. Even the most experienced aquarists find them nearly impossible to keep alive for very long. Feeding: They are azooxanthellate corals with exceptionally… Read more »
Corallimorphia (Ricordia and mushrooms) Class Anthozoa, Suborder Hexacorallia, Order Corallimorpharia, Family Ricordeidae and Genus Discosoma Common names: Ricordia, mushrooms, button polyps, hairy mushrooms Natural origin: Indo-Pacific, Caribbean Sensitivity (Level 1 to 2): Sensitivity varies some from species to species, but usually tolerant and quite forgiving. When healthy, these corals can rapidly recover from damage and… Read more »
Euphyllia (Hammer, Torch and Fox Corals) Class Anthozoa, Order Scleractinia, Family Euphyllidae, Genera Euphyllia and Nemenzophyllia Common names: hammer coral, branched hammer coral, torch coral, pom-pom coral, whisper coral, fox coral Natural origin: Indo-Pacific Sensitivity (Level 2): Though generally tolerant, they need to be fed and placed properly (see below). Feeding: These corals have good… Read more »
Class Anthozoa, Subclass Hexacorallia, Order Scleractinia, Family Acroporidae, Genus Montipora Common names: velvet coral Natural origin: Indo-Pacific Sensitivity (Level 2): Though not exactly beginner corals, they’re usually considerably more tolerant than their Acropora cousins. Feeding: These corals have nearly invisible polyps and rather poor prey capture ability. They fed on food of very small particle… Read more »
Seriatopora (Bird’s Nest) Class Anthozoa, Order Scleractinia, Family Pocilloporidae, Genus Seriatopora Common names: bird’s nest coral Natural origin: Indo-Pacific Sensitivity (Level 2 to 3): These corals are generally less tolerant of unstable conditions. Sensitivity depends heavily on particular species, place of origin, and if caught wild or aquacultured. Feeding: A small polyped coral with poor… Read more »
Sun Coral (azooxanthellate) Class Anthozoa, Subclass Hexacorallia, Order Scleractinia, Family Dendrophylliidae, Genus Tubastraea Common names: yellow or orange sun coral, orange or yellow sun polyp, black sun coral Natural origin: Indo-Pacific Sensitivity (Level 4): Azooxanthellate sun coral have demanding feeding requirements that can make them difficult to care for. They are prone to tissue recession… Read more »
Class Anthozoa, Order Scleractinia, Family Trachyphylliidae Common names: lobed brain coral, open brain coral Natural origin: Indo-Pacific Sensitivity (Level 2): These corals are generally tolerant, but need to be fed well. Feeding: Trachyphyllidae have impressive prey capture ability. They will ready eat a variety of meaty aquarium foods. Be forewarned, they can even eat small… Read more »
Over the last 5 years, the aquarium hobby has seen great strides made in feeds and nutritional supplements for both fish and corals. This has enabled us to keep a greater variety of delicate species, keep fish healthier and longer, captive breed many species including some saltwater fish and feed plants and coral to achieve… Read more »