Corals ~ A Dummies Guide? Slug/Nudi ID, Tube Polyp ID -12/26/2007 Good morning and Merry Christmas All, So, I've finally gotten into some soft corals (tube polyps and polyps) and I believe I may have a stony coral of some sort that may not be doing so well (came in on some liverock). I'll emphasize that I LOVE your website and you may be familiar with my name from previous emails over the years... however, I was curious as to whether you could recommend a book for hobbyists just getting started with corals. I find your site is likely better for people who know what they have and know what they're talking about when it comes to corals. Is there a good book you could recommend? <If you're looking for a very simple guide, you can try this: http://www.asira.org/caresheets As for books on captive coral care, "Aquarium Corals" by Eric Borneman is one. There's also, "The Super Simple Guide to Corals" by James Fatherree you might like.> Thus far, it seems like the fish stores I go to recommend soft corals for a beginner coral hobbyist as they are easier to care for. I'd like to find a resource that can guide me to repairing/nurturing the stony corals that came in on the liverock and so as I can feel comfortable in being responsible in buying stony corals down the road and be able to care for them. <Hmm... it will be more difficult to care for dying corals than for healthy ones. Why not try starting out with healthy, cultured frags first?> Of note, the stony corals have been around since about July. One little colony seems to be dying (turning brownish) because it is shaded within the tank. <Corals often change color to adapt to different lighting conditions. Such a change, alone, is not a sign that the coral is dying, or even unhealthy. Now, if it bleaches out, then you have a problem and need to move the coral and feed it generously until it gains its color back.> The other 3 little colonies seem to be ok but they certainly aren't growing fast and are too small for me to identify them... but from the pictures on your site, they look like stonies. Anyhow, a book/resource recommendation would be grateful! <See above.> Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! <...and to you too :)> P.S. I mentioned to Bob that I'd eventually get a picture of that little slug/Nudibranch that was crawling in amongst my tube polyps the other day... it is attached. It's about an inch long. Do you have a specific ID on those tube polyps... other than me calling them... 'tube polyps'?? <Sorry I can't even begin to ID the slug/Nudibranch for you from that picture (not focused enough). The "tube polyps" you have are not a stony coral (nor do they have calcified tubes). They are Zoanthids, colonial anemones/corals. Please see here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/zoanthid.htm Best, Sara M.>

Hydrozoan, Coral, or worm? -11/20/07
Hello there.
I have a question on an ID, and unfortunately cannot get a picture for you right now (I lent my camera to a "friend" and have not been able to retrieve it). The creatures are in small clusters of tubes less than 1mm diameter and about 5-8mm long. The tubes are a red/burgundy/brown color while the heads on two of the clusters have tan "heads" and a third has green "heads". The "heads" are tentacles about 3-4mm diameter and only extend when the lights are on and retract when disturbed.
<Can you could the tentacles on the "heads?" If there are 8, it's probably an octocoral of some sort.>
I have a 20g tank with about 20# live rock of various origins and about 4" fine sand w/ some rubble and crushed shells, an 8g DSB refugium (just recently added) for NNR/zooplankton, dual 65w CF lighting w/moonlights, SeaClone 100 (difficult and tedious to tune/operate efficiently) and Tetratech PF150 (nice "surge" action). Primary circulation pumps about 250 gph from Fuge plus 2 additional PH @ 100+gph. I have been setup for about 16 months, but had some problems over the summer; temp climbed to 116+ for a few days and I lost almost everything.
<yikes>
A chiller is in the works for next season.
<...or an air conditioner and a fan or two.>
My water parameters all check out fairly well: Ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, phosphate all at or near zero, pH 8.2-8.4, 8-10dKH, calcium 380-440 (these are the only tests I currently have). Current livestock includes royal Gramma, Rainford goby, fire shrimp, porcelain crab, 6 hermits, Astrea, Cerith, Nassarius, flower anemone (the only survivor the heat, but color changed from brownish green to neon teal-green), Zoanthids, green star polyps, Capnella, striped Discosoma, Caulastrea, Blastomussa, and Pavona, as well as numerous worms, sponges, and ascidians that I can recognize. Everything seems to be doing well, no interactions with these small creatures, but I became more interested in them when I noticed the third colony with the green heads (indicating chlorophyll/zooxanthellae?).
<Not necessarily... but tis a curious thing anyway. It's possible the white ones are bleached and the color is returning to some of them.>
I have poked at these without being stung,
<lol>
and the tubes are flexible, almost like stiff rubber, not brittle or calcareous. I have spent many, MANY hours reading through your site, and have gained much knowledge from it and appreciate all the wisdom you share.
<cool>
The closest pictures/descriptions I found have been hydrozoans, but nothing quite like what I have.
<Hmmm... you know I'm going to tell you that it's impossible to say without a photo, but what you're describing sounds like a clove coral or maybe an encrusting Gorgonian.>
I apologize for the long message, though I would rather share excess information than not enough. Thank you all for your time and attention.
<No problem. Do see if you can borrow a camera or get yours back. We should be able to help you more with a picture.>
Brian B
<Best,
Sara M.>