Pseudocorynactis caribbeorum

Den Hartog, 1980

Orange Ball Anemone

Range: Western Atlantic Ocean: Caribbean.

Natural Environment: Inhabits reefs and sandy areas near reefs, and seen down to about 100 feet (30 m). Nocturnal, solitary polyps extend from recesses or sand. If disturbed or lighted, this corallimorph will retract.

General Husbandry: Not purposely collected for the trade, yet may show up occasionally.

Has a bright orange body column and ball-like tips on nearly transparent tentacles. Disc is up to 2 inches (5 cm) in diameter. Occasionally, the column and tentacles may be pale yellow or white.

Would require hand feeding of meaty foods at least twice a week.

Taxonomy:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Cnidaria

Class: Anthozoa

Subclass: Hexacorallia

Order: Corallimorpharia

Family: Corallimorphidae

Genus: Pseudocorynactis/Corynactis

FYI: When sensing meaty foods entering the aquarium, the species will open up and accept foods, however, if done so in a lighted condition, will retract after being fed.

More a unique species than the average aquarium species.

Extremely sticky, and best suited for a species-specific environment.

Will sting corals, eat small fishes, snails, shrimp and crabs that touch it.

Now technically listed as Corynactis caribbeorum, (den Hartog, 1980)

Experience Level: Intermediate

Diet: Non-photosynthetic/Carnivore

Temperament: Aggressive

Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium

Coral Safe:With caution

Fish Safe: With caution

Invertebrate Safe: With caution

Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+

Aquarium Hardiness: Hardy

Calcium (Ca): 380 - 430 mg/l

Alkalinity: 2.5 - 3.0 meq/l

Phosphate (PO4): <0.05 mg/l

Magnesium (Mg): approx. 1350 mg/l (relate to specific gravity)

Strontium (Sr) 8 - 10 mg/l

Temperature Range: 72 - 79°F (22 - 26°C)

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons

Lighting: PAR 50

Water Movement: WM 1 - 2

Specific Gravity: 1.023 - 1.025

pH: 8.0 - 8.4

Iodine/Trace Elements Monitor/as necessary to maintain quality seawater.