What is this coral??

[DragonStone]

On sale at the local pet store (discounted) but with no tag. At the store it was covered in tiny little neon green (under the blue light) short tentacle things, now that it's home those are all gone. What is it?

 

[Reefkeepers Archive]

I do not see a coral, try getting a photo when it's open

 

[shakacuz]

likely a soft coral that is either dying or shedding

 

[jkcoral]

Looks like a pocillopora that isn’t doing well, based on the photo and that you mentioned small green polyps.

Additional photos once it opens a bit might help narrow it down.

 

[DragonStone]

How can I help it open up? It did not look bad in the store. Somewhat like this:

 

[207Meg]

Looks like green star polyp, try blasting it with a baster to get some of the algae off?

 

[shakacuz]

How can I help it open up? It did not look bad in the store. Somewhat like this:

green star polyp

 

[jkcoral]

If it looked like that second picture then probably green star polyps.

I’d start by getting the algae off of it, put it in low flow, and let it chill for a while. If you just got it, it might take it a while to acclimate.

I wouldn’t put it on any rock that you do not want it to take over. That stuff spreads like a weed.

 

[DragonStone]

Thank you all! Will do! Any special care it needs?

 

[Sharkbait19]

It will grow in a toilet bowl if you add saltwater.
It’s one of the hardiest corals out there and can thrive in just about any setting - no special care required.
I’d get the algae off it, as that is only further hurting the coral.

 

[DragonStone]

It will grow in a toilet bowl if you add saltwater.
It’s one of the hardiest corals out there and can thrive in just about any setting - no special care required.
I’d get the algae off it, as that is only further hurting the coral.

Thanks! And the second algae I picked up was a Duncanopsammia axifug that they had for $9. Any special care? I think it has 3 little heads on it.

 

[jkcoral]

Thanks! And the second algae I picked up was a Duncanopsammia axifug that they had for $9. Any special care? I think it has 3 little heads on it.

Duncans are pretty easy. They are very forgiving once they are established.

They like to eat. Feed it with some meaty food (mysis, etc.) once or twice a week and it’ll be happy and grow.

 

[Dburr1014]

On sale at the local pet store (discounted) but with no tag. At the store it was covered in tiny little neon green (under the blue light) short tentacle things, now that it's home those are all gone. What is it?

I see algae on a rock.
I hope you didn't pay more than a dollar for it.

 

[DragonStone]

Duncans are pretty easy. They are very forgiving once they are established.

They like to eat. Feed it with some meaty food (mysis, etc.) once or twice a week and it’ll be happy and grow.

I hate to be such a newbie but....can you direct to "mysis" product and also how I feed them? Do I use a dropper or just drop it in the water?

 

[DragonStone]

I see algae on a rock.
I hope you didn't pay more than a dollar for it.

Hahaha noooo it looked like this just an hour ago at the store:

(not my photo, example of what it looked like from google before I took it home)

 

[jkcoral]

I hate to be such a newbie but....can you direct to "mysis" product and also how I feed them? Do I use a dropper or just drop it in the water?

No problem, asking questions is how you learn.

I use this type of Hikari mysis shrimp:

Frozen Mysis Shrimp - Hikari Sales USA

A brackish water Mysis shrimp offering an excellent protein source. Naturally offers chitosan in a less developed shell that can support immune system health while making it easier for smaller fish to chew through.

www.hikariusa.com

There’s different brands of mysis shrimp, but I use that because they are small enough for even my tiny wrasses to eat.

Your best bet is asking your local fish store. Most fish stores will stock frozen mysis.

The Duncan will be able to catch some things out of the water, but I like target feeding best. Thaw out some of the shrimp, turn off all your flow/pumps in your tank, and use a dropper/turkey baster to suck up some shrimp and drop it on the Duncans mouths.

It’s pretty fun to watch them eat.

 

[Sharkbait19]

I hate to be such a newbie but....can you direct to "mysis" product and also how I feed them? Do I use a dropper or just drop it in the water?

Mysis shrimp is a common food for fish and inverts - it’s a small shrimp (like brine shrimp) that comes in frozen blocks.
Basically you thaw it in a cup of water and then can take a turkey baster and drop some on the coral to feed.
I typically broadcast feed (just putting the food right in the tank) and my Duncan does great off that.

 

[VintageReefer]

What are you using for lighting? Brand and type?

 

[Reefkeepers Archive]

How can I help it open up? It did not look bad in the store. Somewhat like this:

GSP

 

[DragonStone]

What are you using for lighting? Brand and type?

6500K Fluval