Briareum asbestinum

(Pallas, 1766)

Caribbean Corky Finger, Deadman Fingers

Range: Western Atlantic Ocean: Southern Florida, Caribbean, Bahamas, and Bonaire.

Natural Environment: Inhabits coral reefs and rocky bottoms from depths between 3 - 40 feet (1 - 12 m) where it forms low growing clumps/mats with columns and can reach heights of about 24 inches (60 cm).

General Husbandry: Occasionally seen in the trade and has an encrusting base with upright columnar growths covered with large wavy polyps.

Requires fairly good water movement and strong light. Occasional feedings with plankton-like foodstuffs is quite beneficial.

Taxonomy:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Cnidaria

Class: Anthozoa

Subclass: Octocorallia

Order: Anlcyonacea

Suborder: Scleraxonia

Family: Briareidae

Genus: Briareum

FYI:

Experience Level: Intermediate

Diet: Photosynthetic/Plankton feeder

Temperament: Peaceful

Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium

Coral Safe:Yes

Fish Safe: Yes

Invertebrate Safe: Yes

Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+

Aquarium Hardiness: Moderate

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 - 82°F (22 - 27°C)

Minimum Tank Size: 50 gallons

Lighting: PAR 400+

Water Movement: WM 2 - 3

Specific Gravity: 1.023 - 1.025

pH: 8.0 - 8.4

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