Could corals survive if fed exclusively with amino acids?

[MoshJosh]

My understanding, all be it limited, is that corals are able to absorb amino acids directly from the water column. Does this apply to all, most, or just a few species? Hypothetically could a coral get all it's nutrition in this manner? Could some corals thrive an an all amino diet???

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

My understanding, all be it limited, is that corals are able to absorb amino acids directly from the water column. Does this apply to all, most, or just a few species? Hypothetically could a coral get all it's nutrition in this manner? Could some corals thrive an an all amino diet???

Maybe a NPS coral but that's a big maybe...other corals simply no. They receive like 87% of their nutrients from the zooxanthellae.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

My understanding, all be it limited, is that corals are able to absorb amino acids directly from the water column. Does this apply to all, most, or just a few species? Hypothetically could a coral get all it's nutrition in this manner? Could some corals thrive an an all amino diet???

You mean no fish poop?
(And the majority of corals get most of their nutrition from light / zooxanthellae)

 

[MoshJosh]

Maybe a NPS coral but that's a big maybe...other corals simply no. They receive like 87% of their nutrients from the zooxanthellae.

I guess I should have specified. . . yes they would still be getting nutrition from zooxanthellae/photosynthesis. . . but with no other food sources. . . Zooxanthellae and aminos

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

I guess I should have specified. . . yes they would still be getting nutrition from zooxanthellae/photosynthesis. . . but with no other food sources. . . Zooxanthellae and aminos

Do the amino products provide any ammonia/nitrogen?

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

Do the amino products provide any ammonia/nitrogen?

Yes amino acids are a nitrogen source

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Yes amino acids are a nitrogen source

Thanks. Since I don't use them, I honestly didn't know.

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

I guess I should have specified. . . yes they would still be getting nutrition from zooxanthellae/photosynthesis. . . but with no other food sources. . . Zooxanthellae and aminos

Then yes, definitely. Maybe not growth as optimal as if fed with other foods but yeah they'd survive just fine imo.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Here's a thread with some (possibly) relevant information

Thread 'In depth explanation of nitrogen and amino acids?' https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/in-depth-explanation-of-nitrogen-and-amino-acids.619019/