Red Tree Coral (Cauli Flower)

The Red Tree Coral or Dendronephthya Carnation is one of the most beautiful and peaceful corals, and is also known as the Cauliflower Soft Coral, or Strawberry Soft Coral. There are over 250 different identified Dendronephthya species. It is found in a variety of flamboyant colors with red or orange being the most common. It is normally shipped while attached to a small piece of live rock or coral rubble.


It is extremely difficult to maintain in the reef aquarium, and should be housed in an established reef aquarium, by the more advanced marine aquarist. It requires low lighting combined with medium to strong water movement. It is necessary to have a constant current with an abundance of algal plankton. For continued good health, it will also require the addition of strontium, iodine, and other trace elements to the water.

It does not contain the symbiotic algae zooxanthellae. Therefore, its diet should include live, baby brine shrimp, micro-plankton, and other small foods designed for filter feeding invertebrates, in order to survive in the reef aquarium. These foods must be available almost constantly. Again, only expert aquarists should attempt to keep this coral.
It is normally shipped while attached to a small piece of live rock or coral rubble.

Anthias

Anthias are found in the wild in great numbers, and in an aquarium it needs to be kept in schools of at least 6 to 8 fish. Because it needs a lot of swimming room it should be kept in as large a tank as possible, with a 100-gallon tank being the minimum size. The school should consist of one male and all the rest females, but because the anthias is hermaphroditic, if the harem loses the male the dominant female will become a functioning male. Males are distinguished by having a bright red dorsal fin and very extended ventral fins.

Anthias can be difficult to acclimate to an aquarium, and it should never be put with fish that are at all aggressive. It is excellent for a reef tank, and will appreciate the strong water movement, as well as having plenty of places in the rocks and coral to hide in when it needs to. Getting peach anthias to feed can initially be a problem, and it may require live brine shrimp (enriched) before it will accept other frozen or prepared foods. Because it is constantly looking for food in the water column, it is a good idea to feed it very small quantities, but many times a day

Scientific Name: Pseudanthias dispar, Peach Anthias (top picture)

Family: Serranidae (Sea basses: groupers and fairy basslets)
Size: 4 inches
Temperature: 74 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit
Origin: Pacific Ocean

Finding Nemo

Clownfish, or anemonefish, are of the subfamily Amphiprioninae of the family Pomacentridae. They average 2 to 3 inches in length. Most are brightly colored orange fish with white stripes on the head or side of the body. Clownfish are very popular among marine aquarium keepers, and many were sold as a result of the movie Finding Nemo. This group of fish is extremely hardy, and is well suited to life in the average marine aquarium. They do not need an anemone to live in an aquarium.

It is a long-lived clownfish that is excellent for the beginner hobbyist. It does best in the presence of anemones such as Heteractis magnifica and Stichodactyla gigantea. Like the related damselfish, it is well-suited for all but the most predatory tanks.

Although there are no external characteristics to differentiate male and female, all clownfish are sexually immature when hatched. Meaning that the fry do not have a pre-determined sex, and develop into males and females depending on the hierarchy of the school. A pair will lay eggs along the base of the host anemone, using it to protect the eggs. The eggs normally appear orange in color. Without proper preparation, rearing in the average aquarium is nearly impossible.
This clownfish is an aggressive eater. It will take most meaty foods and frozen herbivore preparations.

World Cup, FA Cup and Reef Cup

The Turbinaria Cup Coral is small polyp stony (SPS) coral. Other Turbinaria species may be referred to as Pagoda, Turban, Vase, Bowl, or Scroll Corals. The genus name, Turbinaria, is derived from the Greek word turbinatus (cone-shaped) because it usually grows in a conical or cup shape while living on the reef. It may also be found in the form of cups, ruffled ridges, plates, vases, or scrolls. Although the Turbinaria Corals may be bright yellow, green, brown, gray, or cream, the base of this Yellow Cup Coral is yellow, and it has yellow, white or green polyps. Depending on the conditions that it is exposed to, it can grow horizontally or vertically.

Turbinaria sp. vary in the amount of care they require. Those that are highly convoluted or have thin plates are the most difficult to care for. It is a peaceful reef inhabitant and does not bother other corals that are placed in close proximity to it. However, it should still be provided with ample space away from other corals because it does grow quickly. It will require moderate lighting combined with moderate water movement within the aquarium. For its continued good health, it will also require the addition of calcium, strontium, and other trace elements to the water.

It will benefit from additional food in the form of brine shrimp or plankton.

Information by: Live Aquaria

"Feeling warm underwater?" use a Fan

Sea Fan

The Gorgonian is also known as a Sea Whip, or the Yellow Sea Blade. Its branches are flattened and blade-like. Members of the Gorgonians, have rigid structures composed of a calcite and a hard protein called gorgonin. They contain a vast number of tiny polyps housed in a flexible net-like skeletal structure composed of gorgonin (protein).


The behavior of the majority of Gorgonian sea blades is peaceful, but they should be given adequate space away from neighboring corals or anemones. Underwater epoxy is commonly used to anchor the base to a piece of live rock in the reef aquarium. This Sea fan is photosynthetic and requires a moderate amount of light depending on the amount of filter feeding food that is available. They are moderately difficult to maintain, but make a rewarding addition to the well-established reef system.

In order to inhibit algae and cyanobacteria growth, it is important that this gorgonian is provided with a medium to strong, constant or intermittent water flow. If in the event that it does begin to become covered with algae or cyanobacteria, remove it from the coral immediately, as this will cause rapid tissue deterioration. Algae can be removed gently with the use of a soft brush, and cyanobacteria can be combated by soaking the coral in fresh water of the same temperature for approximately 1 minute. These corals will also benefit from the addition of iodine, calcium, strontium, and other trace elements to the water.

The Gorgonian should be fed a few times a week with a filter feeding food. Provide a varied diet of live or frozen baby brine shrimp, Marine Snow, PhytoPlan and other suitable micro foods.

The Reef Paradise

A 46" x 23" x 24" main tank with 12mm glass, double overflow chambers supported by a 36" x 18" x 20" sump tank that provides approx. 551 liters or 146 US gallons which powered by the following equipments:

Skimmer: H&S A150-2000 with AquaBee 2000i pump
Returned pump: Rio HF20 4900 lit/hr slipted with 2 outlets
Wavemaker: Hyro Koralia 3 3200 lit/hr
Back pump: Dolphin 2800 lit/hr
Chiller: 1/5 HP Arctica DBA150 with 2000 lit/hr pump
Light: 6 x Giesemann 24w 15k actinic plus T5 & 2 x Giesemenn aquablue 11k 24W T5
Photo timing: 5 hours of Moon light 1500-1700, 1900-2100 and 2200-2300.
                     6 hours of white light from 1600-2200
Feeding: Once a day with frozen cyclopeeze and mysis shrimp
Water Change: weekly with 10% sea water

stay tune......

" Under World Mirror"

"Being trying the whole day, how to go to the top! Can you just help and do something ?"

Underwater grape and chandol

Grape - Bubble Coral (Plerogyra Sinuosa)
The Bubble Coral is a beautiful LPS coral that originates from the reefs of the Indo-Pacific. It has a white-ridged hard skeleton that can be seen when the polyps are deflated. When inflated, the large fleshy polyps will cover the entire skeleton, and are white or yellowish in color. Like many other LPS corals, they do posses sweeper tentacles that can harm other corals within reach.

The Bubble Coral requires a moderate level of lighting combined with low to moderate water movement in the aquarium. Too much water flow may impede the coral from fully expanding. The fleshy polyps of Bubble Corals are very fragile and will puncture easily. Be careful when handling these corals, to only handle them by the hard skeleton. Because they can form long sweeper tentacles, be sure to provide plenty of room to prevent damage being done to its neighbors. For continued good health, it will also need the addition of calcium, strontium, and other trace elements to the water with water tempeture below 28 deg.

Chandol - Torch Coral (Euphyllia Glabrescens)
The Euphyllia Torch Coral is a large polyp stony (LPS) coral, often referred to as Trumpet Coral or Pom-Pom Coral. It has long and flowing polyps with single rounded tips which are visible throughout the day and night, hiding its branching skeletal base most of the time. It may be brown or green with yellow or white on the tips of its tentacles. The yellow or white will sometimes appear to glow under actinic lighting.


Provide plenty of room between the Euphyllia Torch Coral and other sessile animals, since at night, its sweeper tentacles can extend up to several inches from its base and sting other coral species. It is moderately difficult to maintain, but it is a popular coral that will thrive under proper conditions and excellent water quality parameters. Ideally, it needs to have moderate lighting combined with moderate water movement within the aquarium. Its aquatic home will also require the addition of calcium, strontium, and other trace elements to the water for its continued good health. It will also benefit from additional food fed weekly in the form of micro-plankton or brine shrimp.

Bicolor Dottyback  (Pictichromis paccagnellae)

The Bicolor Dottyback, also called the Bicolor Pseudochromis or Royal Dottyback, is two bold colors; the anterior portion is purple and the posterior portion is bright yellow.

A 30 gallon or larger aquarium should be provided. The Bicolor Dottyback will not be intimidated by other fish and will defend its territory against fish two to three times its size. It will also eat ornamental shrimp and is a predator of nuisance bristleworms.
The diet should consist of meaty foods including brine shrimp and prepared frozen foods

Find me if you can !

" Hide me now, under your wings. Covered me within your tentacles.

 When the ocean raised and thunder....."

The Ritteri Anemone is also referred to as the Magnificent Anemone or Heteractis Magnificent Sea Anemone. Some aquarists still refer to it as Radianthus ritteri, but this name was recently changed to the current H. magnifica. It can grow to over three feet in diameter in the wild, although it generally does not grow larger than 1½ feet in the aquarium. Its tentacles have a long, non-tapering shape that may, on occasion, appear swollen at the tips. They can almost completely retract into the base.

This Anemone requires strong lighting combined with strong, but intermittent, water movement within the tank. It generally prefers a high point in the tank to ensure it obtains all the light it needs, but it may change locations, seeking the ideal conditions. Its strong sting can harm corals. The presence of a Clownfish, such as Amphiprion perideraion, will help it acclimate. Ritteri Anemones from different locations may serve as hosts to other clownfish, and even shrimp.

The diet should include mussel, fish, crustaceans, and frozen foods.

(Articles provided by: Live Aquaria)

Underwater Sun

"Here come the sun, here come the sun that I say is all right.." sound familier???

Sun (Tubastrea) and yellow polyps corals extenting tentacles for foods

Sun corals from the species Tubastrea are by far the most common found for sale. Coloration ranges from a rich orange to yellow.
Tubastrea are non photosynthetic corals that require feeding. Each head has a mouth that captures passing prey.Because they do not possess an ass, waste is expelled through their mouths which is confirmation that god does indeed, have a sense of humor.In the wild they are found in shaded areas that have good flow. While the flow rate in captivity should be emulated, they can also do well under direct light. Problems that may arise include the growth of algae on the coral rock itself. But if you have hair algae or any other nuisance algae growing on any rock in your aquarium, your tank has problems. Ideally, they should be fed everyday but they get by with feedings three to four times a week. Feed them meaty foods like raw chopped seafood and mysis shrimp.

The Orange Sun Coral is considered to require a moderately difficult level of care, however, it tends to be a pretty hardy animal in my opinion. It requires a pH of 8.1-8.4, a temperature of  26-27ºC) and a specific gravity between 1.023 and 1.025.

Hello!! anybody home?

Orange Skunk anemone fish (Amphiprion Perideration) wondering around a green carpet anemone (Stichodactyla Gigantea)

The Green Carpet Anemone has a wavy appearance, and lives singly, in the shallow waters of the Central Pacific, Indo Pacific and Red Sea. Normally found on rocky reefs with soft muddy or sandy substrate it can attain a size of up to three feet in diameter. This anemone is also referred to as the Carpet Anemone, Gigantic Sea Anemone, or Giant Carpet Anemone. It has relatively short, tapered tentacles with a milder sting than its close relative Stichodactyla haddoni. The True Carpet Anemone and can be distinguished from Stichodactyla haddoni by the rows of spots on the underside of the oral disc which stop at the column.

This anemone serves as a "host" for many types of clownfish in the wild including: Amphiprion clarkii, A. perideraion, A. akindynos, A. rubrocinctus, A.barberi, A. bicinctus, A. ocellaris, and A. percula.

The True Carpet Anemone requires a tank with very strong lighting and strong water movement. The aquarium should have a variety of sandy and rocky locations as this animal oftentimes can move about and seek refuge in a place it prefers. This species of Carpet Anemone prefers to bury its foot into the sandy bottom at the base of a rock, and it will oftentimes attach itself to the bottom of the aquarium glass, where its column is completely protected under a rock and in the sand for protection. When first introducing this anemone into the display, it is best to try and dig out an area of the sand bed at the base of a large rock where you prefer it will reside, while decreasing the flow rate for a brief period of time during so that it is not blown around the display. Doing so will allow the anemone time to settle in, so its pedal disc or foot can adhere to the rock where it is placed. Once in place, carefully move some sandy substrate around the column and increase the flow rate back to the normal output.

The True Carpet Anemone has somewhat of a potent sting and may harm corals and other anemones as it moves about the aquarium. It is not compatible with other anemones within a 12" diameter, so monitor it when it is first introduced into the tank. This species of Carpet Anemone can eat fish in the display aquarium so use caution when housing a Carpet Anemone in with fish other than clownfish.
(Informations: Live Aquarium)

When adjusted to the display aquarium, this anemone is very sticky to the touch, and when it grasps something (or someone), it is very difficult to convince it to let go without damaging the animal. It is also one of the few anemones that can cause a severe reaction in humans, especially when it comes in contact with areas of the skin that are more sensitive like the underside of the arms, or back of the hand.

The True Carpet Anemone is one of the most challenging to maintain in the home aquarium, and is best left to only the most experienced, veteran aquarists. For proper care, a fully established aquarium, with perfect water chemistry, adequate water flow and strong illumination, along with weekly or even daily feeding is needed. Ideal foods consist of chunks of fresh fish, uncooked shrimp, large mysis shrimp and other meaty marine foods.

The Orange Skunk Clownfish, also known as the Orange Skunk Anemonefish or False Skunk-striped Anemonefish, has a orange base color with one white stripe behind the head that runs from the nose and down the entire length of the back.
It is semi-aggressive towards conspecifics and may be intimidated by boisterous tank mates. A 30 gallon or larger aquarium with many hiding places is desirable. An anemone host such as Stichodactyla mertensii or Heteractis crispa is preferred.

Open Heaven

My Mini Coral Reef

Marine paradise, my passion since 1995 when I was given a 2' tank and guided through a friend in keeping saltwater fishes, invertebrates and corals..... (to be continue). Check out the new and different types of fishes, corals and invertebrates.