Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Likely Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: Indonesia, Singapore, and the Philippines.
Natural Environment: Occurs in shallow to medium water depths on soft sand or rubble bottoms having somewhat turbid conditions and moderate water movement where it is found firmly 'rooted' in the substrate.
General Husbandry: Occasionally available in the trade, yet not overly popular, as it is a difficult coral to maintain long-term.
Needs to have its base firmly planted in the substrate, which should be composed of fine sand, where it will send out 'roots' (tendrils) to anchor itself.
Since this species is non-photosynthetic, it requires hand feeding in captivity. During daylight hours, it will expand upwards and form a 'tree-like' structure where its branches with small polyps should be fed meaty type foods, e.g., rotifers, newly hatch brine shrimp or a zooplankton-type product at least twice daily. During evening hours, the branches are folded inward and pulled downward into the column as it retracts for the remaining nighttime hours, almost like an anemone retracting its tentacles.
Has a poor record of survival in closed systems, and unless willing to provide its exacting needs, they will slowly waste away where starvation is the number one killer of this species in aquaria. And there is no known record of successful propagation, in fact, just the opposite, as they seem to deteriorate quite quickly when cuttings are taken.
Taxonomy:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Cnidaria
Class: Anthozoa
Subclass: Octocorallia
Order: Alcyonacea
Family: Viguieriotidae
Genus: Studeriotes
FYI: Not overly fussy about water quality, as more turbid/murky conditions suit it quite well.
Experience Level: Expert
Diet: Non-photosynthetic/Filter 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: Difficult
Temperature Range: 72 - 83°F (22 - 28°C)
Minimum Tank Size: 50 gallons
Lighting: PAR 100
Water Movement: WM 1 - 2
Specific Gravity: 1.023 - 1.025
pH: 8.0 - 8.4
