New corals first timer help

Shergar11 · Jan 16, 2013

Alright folks just got my first two corals today a candy cane and a zoa, from what I have read they seem to be 2 of the easier beginner corals, I have acclimatised them and put them in the tank, the zoa coral has opened up about half it's heads, is this normal will the rest open in there own time, but more worrying is the candy cane it doesn't seem to have done a thing it actually looks like an ornament in the tank !!!! Again is this something I just need to wait out, not done a calcium test yet going to do that tomorrow as I have read they require a certain amount.

Thanks again

Pkunk35 · Jan 16, 2013

Hey Shergar! Welcome to R2R!

I'd say yes that it is normal for some zoas to take some time to open...if half are open already then you will hopefully soon see them all open. Sometimes they need some time after shipping and acclimating to your tank/lighting.

As for Calustrea coral, yes they do sort of look like non moving ornaments, lol. You will see them "open" up at night to feed or sometimes they will do this when you feed your fish. Just make sure that the heads are fleshy with no skeleton showing and you should start seeing more heads growing in no time at all.

one other thing, I would suggest testing alk, calcium and magnesium as those three levels are dependent on each other and most people will prob ask you for those numbers when talking water quality.

HTH, good luck!

Shergar11 · Jan 16, 2013

Nice one buddy thank u, al do those tests tomorrow, and hopefully thingS will have progressed a bit, only been keeping fish for bout 6 months now, totally hooked :whip: Haha

Camellia · Jan 16, 2013

+1

The zoa's can be stubborn like that but will open. Look at your cany cane after the lights have bben out an hours or so, it will be feeding and looks much more alive.

Russellaqua · Jan 16, 2013

Camellia said:
+1

The zoa's can be stubborn like that but will open. Look at your cany cane after the lights have bben out an hours or so, it will be feeding and looks much more alive.

I agree with this. Sometimes zoas require several days to completely settle in depending on the variety, how they were acclimated, the difference in conditions they were held at and your tank, and their health before you got them. Your candy cane should puff up and open at the fleshy end after lights out and will extend its feeding tentacles. They receive most of their energy from their photosynthetic symbionts, but will also benefit by being individually fed a bit of mysis or other meaty foods from time to time.

Shergar11 · Jan 16, 2013

Ok thanks for the feedback, will the candy cane always look like an ornament thru the day, then only open up at night when lights out ??

ClownFan · Jan 16, 2013

Yes. Lots of corals are ornamental. If you want easier corals that provides a lot of movement check out euphyllia (hammers, torches, frogspawns), and duncans. Xenia is another swaying/pulsing coral but I wouldn't recommend it unless you really like the look of it (it will take over quick).