Coral Database on R2R??

[Russellaqua]

Chalice, Lettuce Coral
Submitted by: Russellaqua
Scientific Name: Oxypora sp.
Family: Pectinidae
Behavior: passive
Hosts Zooxanthellae: yes
Color variations: Green, tan, yellow, blue

Needs:

Water current: low to high
Iodine supplement: yes
Calcium Supplement: yes
Trace Elements Supplement: yes

Needs meaty foods: no
Needs Phytoplankton: yes
Needs Microplankton: yes
Lighting: low to high
Care level: experienced

Likes meaty foods: yes
Likes Phytoplankton: yes
Likes Microplankton: yes

Description: This coral is a variety of round chalice that is easily confused with Echinophyllia sp. and Echinopora sp, It is distinguished from Mycedium sp. by the latter having outward facing eyes.

Photo courtesy of reefboy

 

[Russellaqua]

Chalice
Submitted by: Russellaqua
Scientific Name: Mycedium mancaoi, M. elephantotus, M. robokaki
Family: Pectinidae
Behavior: passive
Hosts Zooxanthellae: yes
Color variations: Green, tan, yellow, blue

Needs:

Water current: low to moderate
Iodine supplement: yes
Calcium Supplement: yes
Trace Elements Supplement: yes

Needs meaty foods: no
Needs Phytoplankton: yes
Needs Microplankton: yes
Lighting: low to moderate
Care level: experienced

Likes meaty foods: yes
Likes Phytoplankton: yes
Likes Microplankton: yes

Description: This coral is a variety of round chalice that is easily confused with Echinophyllia sp., Echinopora sp., and Oxypora sp. but has outward facing eyes that are well captured in the picture below.

Photo courtesy of youngtimothy

 

[Russellaqua]

Spiny sea fan
Submitted by: Russellaqua
Scientific Name: Muricea sp.
Family: Plexauridae
Behavior: moderately aggressive
Hosts Zooxanthellae: yes
Color variations: Orange, red

Needs:

Water current: moderate to high
Iodine supplement: yes
Calcium Supplement: no
Trace Elements Supplement: yes

Needs meaty foods: no
Needs Phytoplankton: yes
Needs Microplankton: yes
Lighting: low to moderate
Care level: beginner

Likes meaty foods: no
Likes Phytoplankton: yes
Likes Microplankton: yes

Description: This gorgonian has a rough texture and is photosynthetic.

Muricea elongata
Photo courtesy of Coral Keeper

 

[Russellaqua]

Crust coral
Submitted by: Russellaqua
Scientific Name: Leptastrea pruinosa
Family: Faviidae
Behavior: passive
Hosts Zooxanthellae: yes
Color variations: Orange, red, purple, green, blue

Needs:

Water current: low to high
Iodine supplement: yes
Calcium Supplement: yes
Trace Elements Supplement: yes

Needs meaty foods: no
Needs Phytoplankton: yes
Needs Microplankton: yes
Lighting: low to high
Care level: beginner

Likes meaty foods: yes
Likes Phytoplankton: yes
Likes Microplankton: yes

Description: This coral encrusts surfaces and comes in a huge array of colors, though it is only now becoming a fairly common coral on the market. Its' ease of care makes it a colorful addition to a tank with a keeper of any experience.

Photos courtesy of reefboy

 

[ahayes13]

Tyree sunset montipora
submitted by: ahayes13
Coral type: SPS
Scientific Name: Montipora sp.
Family: Acroporidae

Behavior: peaceful
Hosts Zooxanthellae: yes
Color variations: orange and green

Needs:
Water current: moderate
Iodine supplement: yes
Calcium Supplement: yes
Trace Elements Supplement: water change
Needs meaty foods: no
Needs Phytoplankton: no
Needs Microplankton: no
Lighting: high
Care level: easy

Likes, but doesn't need:
Likes meaty foods: no
Likes Phytoplankton: yes
Likes Microplankton: yes

Description: At one time was a highly collectible coral but now has become much more accessible for any reefer. Beautiful coloration with nice large polyps.

 

[Russellaqua]

Encrusting plate coral
Submitted by: Russellaqua
Scientific Name: Lithophyllon sp.
Family: Fungiidae
Behavior: passive
Hosts Zooxanthellae: yes
Color variations: blue, green, tan

Needs:

Water current: moderate to high
Iodine supplement: yes
Calcium Supplement: yes
Trace Elements Supplement: yes

Needs meaty foods: no
Needs Phytoplankton: yes
Needs Microplankton: yes
Lighting: moderate
Care level: experienced

Likes meaty foods: yes
Likes Phytoplankton: yes
Likes Microplankton: yes

Description: This coral encrusts rock like many SPS do, but has LPS care requirements. It has distinctive ridges with prominent mouths, and is most often seen in a beautiful blue in the hobby.

Lithophyllon undulatum
Photo courtesy of ReefRunner

Lithophyllon sp.
Photo courtesy of seafansar

 

[Russellaqua]

Button coral
Submitted by: Russellaqua
Scientific Name: Scolymia sp.
Family: Mussidae
Behavior: Moderately aggressive
Hosts Zooxanthellae: yes
Color variations: Nearly any color or combination

Needs:

Water current: Moderate
Iodine supplement: yes
Calcium Supplement: yes
Trace Elements Supplement: yes

Needs meaty foods: no
Needs Phytoplankton: yes
Needs Microplankton: yes
Lighting: moderate
Care level: experienced

Likes meaty foods: yes
Likes Phytoplankton: yes
Likes Microplankton: yes

Description: This coral is easily confused with Cynarina sp. but is not as "meaty." It comes in nearly any color and combination, often with striking contrasts. Some can grow to nearly a foot across.

Photo courtesy of roscoe

 

[ahayes13]

ORA Tricolor Valida
submitted by: ahayes13
Coral type: SPS
Scientific Name: Acropora valida
Family: Acroporidae

Behavior: peaceful
Hosts Zooxanthellae: yes
Color variations: tan, purple, green

Needs:
Water current: strong
Iodine supplement: yes
Calcium Supplement: yes
Trace Elements Supplement: water change
Needs meaty foods: no
Needs Phytoplankton: no
Needs Microplankton: no
Lighting: high
Care level: moderate

Likes, but doesn't need:
Likes meaty foods: no
Likes Phytoplankton: yes
Likes Microplankton: yes

Description: ORA aquacultured coral. Tan base with purple tips, with a green leading edge for new encrusting growth.

 

[ahayes13]

Setosa
submitted by: ahayes13
Coral type: SPS
Scientific Name: montipora setosa
Family: Acroporidae

Behavior: peaceful
Hosts Zooxanthellae: yes
Color variations: red or red-orange

Needs:
Water current: moderate
Iodine supplement: yes
Calcium Supplement: yes
Trace Elements Supplement: water change
Needs meaty foods: no
Needs Phytoplankton: no
Needs Microplankton: no
Lighting: high
Care level: easy

Likes, but doesn't need:
Likes meaty foods: no
Likes Phytoplankton: yes
Likes Microplankton: yes

Description: An interesting coral that may have many different growth forms. The setosa may encrust, branch or plate. It generally grows slowly.

 

[Russellaqua]

Worm brain
Submitted by: Russellaqua
Scientific Name: Platygyra sp.
Family: Faviidae
Behavior: Moderately aggressive
Hosts Zooxanthellae: yes
Color variations: Nearly any color or combination

Needs:

Water current: Moderate to high
Iodine supplement: yes
Calcium Supplement: yes
Trace Elements Supplement: yes

Needs meaty foods: no
Needs Phytoplankton: yes
Needs Microplankton: yes
Lighting: moderate to high
Care level: beginner

Likes meaty foods: yes
Likes Phytoplankton: yes
Likes Microplankton: yes

Description: This coral has a distinctive maze-like pattern on its' surface similar to worm trails giving it the common name "worm brain." It is typically quite colorful, often with two contrasting colors appearing in the valleys and ridges on the coral surface.

Photo courtesy of chazde

Photo courtesy of roscoe

 

[ahayes13]

photo courtesy of reefboy

Moseleya
submitted by: ahayes13
Coral type: LPS
Scientific Name: Moseleya latistellata
Family: FAVIIDAE

Behavior: peaceful
Hosts Zooxanthellae: yes
Color variations: pink, tan, brown, green

Needs:
Water current: moderate
Iodine supplement: yes
Calcium Supplement: yes
Trace Elements Supplement: water change
Needs meaty foods: no
Needs Phytoplankton: no
Needs Microplankton: no
Lighting: high
Care level: easy

Likes, but doesn't need:
Likes meaty foods: yes
Likes Phytoplankton: yes
Likes Microplankton: yes

Description: An interesting coral that is generally found in shallow or muddy waters, and may not be attached. Usually found as a small colony. They are an uncommon coral.

 

[ahayes13]

photo courtesy of H@rry

Matchstick puertogalerae , Anacropora
submitted by: ahayes13
Coral type: SPS
Scientific Name: Anacropora puertogalarae
Family: Acroporidae

Behavior: peaceful
Hosts Zooxanthellae: yes
Color variations: brown, white

Needs:
Water current: High
Iodine supplement: yes
Calcium Supplement: yes
Trace Elements Supplement: water change
Needs meaty foods: no
Needs Phytoplankton: no
Needs Microplankton: no
Lighting: moderate to high
Care level: easy

Likes, but doesn't need:
Likes meaty foods: no
Likes Phytoplankton: yes
Likes Microplankton: yes

Description: Beautiful smooth skinned coral with narrow, fragile branches. The coral is also a fast grower.

 

[Russellaqua]

Brain coral
Submitted by: Russellaqua
Scientific Name: Oulophyllia sp.
Family: Faviidae
Behavior: Moderately aggressive
Hosts Zooxanthellae: yes
Color variations: Nearly any color or combination

Needs:

Water current: Moderate to high
Iodine supplement: yes
Calcium Supplement: yes
Trace Elements Supplement: yes

Needs meaty foods: no
Needs Phytoplankton: no
Needs Microplankton: no
Lighting: moderate to high
Care level: beginner

Likes meaty foods: yes
Likes Phytoplankton: yes
Likes Microplankton: yes

Description: Oulophyllia sp. is a classic brain coral not often seen in the hobby. It can be quite colorful and forms large domed masses or flat plates. It is very hardy making it a good beginner coral.

Photo courtesy of Brad Syphus

 

[Russellaqua]

Brain coral
Submitted by: Russellaqua
Scientific Name: Montastrea sp.
Family: Faviidae
Behavior: Moderately aggressive
Hosts Zooxanthellae: yes
Color variations:Typically red, brown, green

Needs:

Water current: Moderate
Iodine supplement: yes
Calcium Supplement: yes
Trace Elements Supplement: yes

Needs meaty foods: no
Needs Phytoplankton: no
Needs Microplankton: no
Lighting: moderate
Care level: beginner

Likes meaty foods: yes
Likes Phytoplankton: yes
Likes Microplankton: yes

Description: This is another classic brain coral that is slowly becoming more popular. It is easily confused with Favia sp. and Favites sp. Polyps are often raised above the coenosteum, differentiating this genus from the other two.

Photo courtesy of reefboy

 

[Russellaqua]

Brain coral
Submitted by: Russellaqua
Scientific Name: Goniastrea sp.
Family: Faviidae
Behavior: Moderately aggressive
Hosts Zooxanthellae: yes
Color variations:Typically red, brown, green or yellow

Needs:

Water current: Moderate to high
Iodine supplement: yes
Calcium Supplement: yes
Trace Elements Supplement: yes

Needs meaty foods: no
Needs Phytoplankton: no
Needs Microplankton: no
Lighting: moderate to high
Care level: beginner

Likes meaty foods: yes
Likes Phytoplankton: yes
Likes Microplankton: yes

Description: The varying growth forms of this genus can make it look like a honeycomb, Platygyra sp., or Favites sp. There is no easy way to distinguish it from these other genera for the hobbyist.

Photo courtesy of reefboy

Photo courtesy of seascape

 

[Russellaqua]

Wall bubble
Submitted by: Russellaqua
Scientific Name: Physogyra lichtensteini
Family: Euphyllidae
Behavior: Moderately aggressive
Hosts Zooxanthellae: yes
Color variations:Tan or green

Needs:

Water current: Moderate to high
Iodine supplement: yes
Calcium Supplement: yes
Trace Elements Supplement: yes

Needs meaty foods: no
Needs Phytoplankton: no
Needs Microplankton: no
Lighting: moderate to high
Care level: beginner

Likes meaty foods: yes
Likes Phytoplankton: yes
Likes Microplankton: yes

Description: This coral can be confused with Plerogyra sp. (bubble coral) but is differentiated by forming wall-like structures. Bubbles (vesicles) are apparent during the day but deflate at night exposing its' feeding tentacles.

Photo courtesy of TritonsGarden

 

[Russellaqua]

Flowerpot coral
Submitted by: Russellaqua
Scientific Name: Goniopora sp.
Family: Poritidae
Behavior: Moderately aggressive
Hosts Zooxanthellae: yes
Color variations: nearly any color

Needs:

Water current: Moderate to high
Iodine supplement: yes
Calcium Supplement: yes
Trace Elements Supplement: yes

Needs meaty foods: no
Needs Phytoplankton: no
Needs Microplankton: no
Lighting: moderate to high
Care level: Expert

Likes meaty foods: yes
Likes Phytoplankton: yes
Likes Microplankton: yes

Description: This coral is quite fragile in the aquarium and should be considered an expert only coral. It can be confused with Alveopora sp., which has 12 tentacles per polyp, while Goniopora sp. has many more.

Photo courtesy of TritonsGarden

 

[Russellaqua]

Button polyps
Submitted by: Russellaqua
Scientific Name: Zoanthus sp.
Family: Zoanthidae
Behavior: Passive
Hosts Zooxanthellae: yes
Color variations: nearly any color

Needs:

Water current: low to high
Iodine supplement: yes
Calcium Supplement: no
Trace Elements Supplement: yes

Needs meaty foods: no
Needs Phytoplankton: no
Needs Microplankton: no
Lighting: low to high
Care level: beginner to expert

Likes meaty foods: no
Likes Phytoplankton: yes
Likes Microplankton: yes

Description: Zoanthids are a common addition to a reef tank, but little is known about them scientifically and most are unclassified. The come from many environments and their care varies depending on where the strain comes from, making them sometimes quite difficult to keep. Others are great beginner corals.

 

[Russellaqua]

Balanophyllia
Submitted by: Russellaqua
Scientific Name: Balanophyllia sp.
Family: Dendrophylliidae
Behavior: Moderately aggressive
Hosts Zooxanthellae: no
Color variations: orange

Needs:

Water current: Moderate
Iodine supplement: yes
Calcium Supplement: yes
Trace Elements Supplement: yes

Needs meaty foods: yes
Needs Phytoplankton: no
Needs Microplankton: no
Lighting: none
Care level: Expert

Likes meaty foods: yes
Likes Phytoplankton: yes
Likes Microplankton: yes

Description: This coral is non-photosynthetic and requires regular feedings, making it an expert-only coral as feedings can quickly degrade water quality. It is very similar to Tubastrea sp. Tentacles extend mainly during the night.

Photo courtesy of Jendub

Photo courtesy of customcolor

 

[Russellaqua]

Plate coral
Submitted by: Russellaqua
Scientific Name: Podobacia sp.
Family: Fungiidae
Behavior: Passive
Hosts Zooxanthellae: yes
Color variations: green

Needs:

Water current: Moderate to high
Iodine supplement: yes
Calcium Supplement: yes
Trace Elements Supplement: yes

Needs meaty foods: no
Needs Phytoplankton: no
Needs Microplankton: no
Lighting: moderate to high
Care level: Experienced

Likes meaty foods: no
Likes Phytoplankton: yes
Likes Microplankton: yes

Description: This coral is similar to Lithophyllon sp. and has many of the same care requirements. It is moderately hardy making for a coral suitable for the experienced reef keeper. It is not common in the hobby but when found is usually green, but may also be yellow.

Photo courtesy of Jendub