Lithophyllum Coral general information   6/16/06
I'm looking at this gorgeous Lithophyllon Coral but I can't find any information about it anywhere!
<... I think you mean "Litophyton" the Alcyoniid, not the fungus genus mentioned above...>
First, what is it's aggressiveness?
Second, what is it's preferred diet?
Third, and lastly, what lighting and water flow is preferred?
Thanks,
Krissi
P.S. You guys rock!
<Please read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/alcyoniids.htm
and the linked files above. Bob Fenner>
 

Colt Coral  - 1/30/2006 Good Morning WWM Crew.                   Please could you help me with a more precise identification of this coral I bought from my LFS yesterday? It is sold over here in the UK as a 'Pussy Coral', and all I can tell you is you don't want to do a google search for that.... <I can imagine...> I understand from reading up on WWM before purchase that in the US they are known as 'Colt Corals', and are one of the easier soft corals to keep, growing rapidly,( sometimes a bit too rapidly?), and sometimes a little aggressive. They are also capable of wandering a little. All I'm really after is a Latin name. My best guess's from your pages is a coral from family Nephtheidae, genus either Capnella or Lemnalia. <Mmm, doe look like these to me... likely so. Or an alcyoniid: http://wetwebmedia.com/alcyoniids.htm Maybe an Alcyonium or Lobophytum sp.> I attach a photograph, taken early in the light cycle of my tank when the coral is about 75% open.                  Thank you once again for your time.                                        Bob Mehen, Cornwall, UK. <My bet's on Lemnalia as the genus. Cheers. Bob Fenner>

Coral (mis)ID    1/25/06 Hello WWM crew, <Hello Rick> I have a couple of photos of an unknown coral that I took yesterday at the LFS.  Can anyone tell me what this is & how it would need to be cared for. The LFS told me that it was an Orange Chili coral, does this sound right?? <Wish the picture had more detail, possibly top view.  To me it looks like a cauliflower/colt coral of the genus cladiella which usually have shorter fingers.  James (Salty Dog)><<What? Is a Nephtheid. Please see here: http://www.google.com/custom?q=chili+soft+coral+genus&sitesearch=wetwebmedia.com RMF>> Cheers! Rick Waibel Jr.

Invasive Xenia-like Softie 6/15/05 Hello WWM Crew! I have a client with an ever-spreading invasive type of soft coral. It spreads much like Green Star Polyps. It's actually quite pretty and I don't want to harm it, but I need to be able to control it naturally. I've attached a picture. If any of you know what it is, and how to  control the spread, I'll be grateful. By the way, the polyps are quite small, perhaps 1/2 the size of Green Stars. This is the only tank I've ever seen it in.  Thanks In Advance, Bob Hartline <It is hard to tell for sure from your pic, but here are some guidelines...  If the polyps arise from and can retract (completely pull into) the mat, it is probably Briareum or Erythropodium.  If the "stem" of the polyps have a distinct base into which the polyps retract, the coral is Clavularia.  If the polyps don't retract at all (but maybe deflate a bit when disturbed), it is probably Anthelia or Sansibia.  This looks very much like a colony of Sansibia that I have in my tank.  You can confirm the ID of Sansibia if you can see iridescent sclerites through the tissue.  Best Regards.  AdamC.>

Invasive Xenia-like Softie part 2 6/15/05
Any idea about slowing it down? It spreads mighty fast. I've tried
placing LPS corals in it's midst, but it seems impervious. Maybe a
Chocolate Chip Star on a leash? Hehe...Please advise if you have any other ideas.  Bob
<About the only thing you can do is try to corral it with rocks and rubble.  This will also create frags to trade!  Covering it up will also shade it and slow it down.  HTH  AdamC.>

Coral ID 6/15/05
This is a recently purchased 10# live rock from the Solomon Islands area.  I noticed that there was this coral attached to it but I'm not sure what it is. The picture is located here: http://www.aviansinoil.com/Hitchhikercoral.jpg
It is soft and purplish in color.  I'd also like to be able to get it off that area of the rock and move it to a more lit area of the tank if it's possible...any ideas for removing and relocating it? <It is impossible to ID this coral from the pic beyond saying that it is a "branchy soft coral".  If the polyps completely retract into the flesh when disturbed, it is probably Sinularia.  If the polyps only fold up against the branches, it is probably in the Nephtheidae family (precise ID is very hard).  If it is slippery like a wet bar of soap, it is probably a colt coral.  As far as moving it, you can simply use a chisel, screwdriver or Dremel tool to chip away a chunk of rock where the coral is attached and place it where you like.  Best Regards.  AdamC.>

Soft Coral Id
Hi,
I have searched both your site and web in general trying to identify soft coral I have purchased recently, but without success. It looks somewhat like Kenya Tree but not 100%, so I am hoping you would be able to tell me what it is from the picture I have attached. In the store's tank, this coral was not really a sale item, but was a "wild", growing on the side of the tank, unattended. Thus the salesman couldn't identify it for me, but that also made me believe that this thing is hardy, and since I have a new tank that hasn't set completely yet, I figured that it might actually survive in it. And not only it did, but it thrives really good and even grew a bit in a couple of weeks (to my utter amazement and disbelief). I am now upgrading the light in my tank and would like to know what this creature is before I burn it to crisps (I am adding 2 x 65W PC for that particular spot of tank). Knowing what it is would also help me to optimize its food, chemistry and company. It is 5-6" tall, seems OK in 15W PowerGlo it is under right now, completely deflates and retracts during the night. I would also appreciate any kind of additional information you can give to me, which will help me figure out what can I expect from it and what to do with it in the future.  Thanks, Mladen
<Hello, MikeB here. I believe the coral to be a pulsating xenia coral. They can handle a large variety of light and water quality parameters. They can be hardy but do better in a well established aquarium. Good Luck. MikeB.> 

Re: Soft Coral Id
Hi MikeB,
First, thank you for your very prompt answer. However, I don't think that this coral belongs to Xeniidae family at all, but rather to Nephtheidae family. While most of the Xeniidae, and pulsating Xenia in particular, have all of the polyps (their tentacles) or the branches ending at the same plane - umbrella configuration, my coral (like Nephtheidae in general) has branches of uneven lengths all along the stalks with polyps all along the stalks (there is no main stalk but fairly uneven branching) resulting in the grapes configuration.
In any case, again thanks for your reply. This just reflects how reef keeping and marine biology are diverse and complex.
<Hello, if I remember correctly, the picture was a little fuzzy and it was difficult to make out.  You are correct in your morphological determination of your coral.  But, remember that there can be variation between the genera of the family.  If you feel that it is not xenia, try looking up anthelia.  Good Luck MikeB>