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- Thread starter Hethari
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Looks like it could be a Dendrophyllia sp. an NPS/non photosynthetic coral, consider expert only as it derives it's nutrition from a constant supply of food within the water column not via photosynthesis by zooxanthellae. Dendrophyllia need a specialized system that meets the needs of NPS to survive long term.
No! I hate it when a store sells someone these types without informing them first.
First off; species. This is Dendronephthya hemprichi, a non photosynthetic soft coral originating from reef slopes and under ledges in turbid, nutrient rich water. They are stunning, but for most aquarists they simply can't be kept. But, since you have it you owe it the best that you can do to keep it alive so get out your phytoplankton and other small particle coral foods. Make sure it's in good flow to maximize food contact with polyps. They also prefer to be mounted perpendicular to rockwork or even inverted/upside down. Most importantly you need to feed it often, and I mean pretty much constantly, or else it will deteriorate very quickly. Yes, that much food in the water will mean you have to watch water quality closely but your other corals will thank you for it too. Whoever you bought it from, should probably be told their requirements and to not import them in the future. Keep us posted on how it's doing.
First off; species. This is Dendronephthya hemprichi, a non photosynthetic soft coral originating from reef slopes and under ledges in turbid, nutrient rich water. They are stunning, but for most aquarists they simply can't be kept. But, since you have it you owe it the best that you can do to keep it alive so get out your phytoplankton and other small particle coral foods. Make sure it's in good flow to maximize food contact with polyps. They also prefer to be mounted perpendicular to rockwork or even inverted/upside down. Most importantly you need to feed it often, and I mean pretty much constantly, or else it will deteriorate very quickly. Yes, that much food in the water will mean you have to watch water quality closely but your other corals will thank you for it too. Whoever you bought it from, should probably be told their requirements and to not import them in the future. Keep us posted on how it's doing.
Unfortunately being here asking what it is pretty much sums it up that it's going to wither away and die. The aforementioned responses are accurate. This is not a beginner coral but most if the time the people who buy these are beginners because they don't know what they're looking at... Not insulting you...Just a product of the cash cow environment. There corals best left in the ocean...
Todd I agree, but as I said they have to try now that they've got it. Better that than just saying "that's too hard" or "well it's screwed" and just let it die by doing nothing.
I've never owned one of these but successful reefers usually place it under ledges or lower in the tank because light accessibility is not a factor. It needs to be in good current since it filter feeds exclusively probably along the lines of current you keep a spare under
As I said earlier, under ledges or glued so it's hanging upside down in good flow to maximize food contact with polyps. You NEED to feed this, as often as you can. Google a little bit about the species I mentioned above so you can learn as much as you can.
Dendronephthya hemprichi is the species.
To give some more information, those are not worms. They are sclerites, they are made of calcium carbonate and they help support the structure. You have nothing to worry about with that. They tend to take a while to deteriorate, they look good for a while then go downhill. Make sure you are feeding phytoplankton and other micro foods to keep it as happy as possible.
To give some more information, those are not worms. They are sclerites, they are made of calcium carbonate and they help support the structure. You have nothing to worry about with that. They tend to take a while to deteriorate, they look good for a while then go downhill. Make sure you are feeding phytoplankton and other micro foods to keep it as happy as possible.
And I mean feeding frequently, very frequently 
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Hethari
Active Member
Thanks acronem but they extended out look like bristle worm at night like the picture they go out and they are very long and too many take a closer look at the long white things with so many dendri on sides
Ah, my apologies I see what you mean. They do look kind of like hydroids. How far do they extend at night?
divewsharks
Well-Known Member
look like micro brittle stars as well. if there are voids in the tissue they could be hiding there.
elfda
Active Member
I agree; looks like brittle stars to me.
Mooching all that food, and who can blame em!
Yep, look just like little brittle stars.
