Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Likely Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: Red Sea, South Africa, Maldives to Indonesia and to Fiji.
Natural Environment: Inhabits fairly shallow areas where strong currents exist and usually found in large overlapping colonies where this species often dominates the area.
General Husbandry: Even though they can tolerate a wide spectrum of environmental conditions, they tend to do better in areas lit with bright light, and where moderate to strong water movement exists. Since they are photosynthetic, no direct feeding or special care is required; yet, they seem to do better in environments that are somewhat nutrient rich.
Placement in the aquarium can be wherever conditions favor it, but keep in mind it can grow quite large and quickly, therefore may shade-out nearby specimens sooner than anticipated. Provide enough space between them and their neighbors! These are especially good corals for those new to the hobby, as they are as hardy as mushroom corals!
Similar to S. dura, but with finger-like projections.
Taxonomy:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Cnidaria
Class: Anthozoa
Subclass: Octocorallia
Order: Anlcyonacea
Suborder: Alcyoniina
Family: Alcyoniidae
Genus: Sinularia
FYI: Easily propagated from cuttings.
Mariculture specimens available in the trade.
Can attain a height of about 24 inches (60 cm) and a spreading growth of also about 24 inches (60 cm).
Experience Level: Beginner
Diet: Photosynthetic/Absorption of nutrients
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium
Coral Safe:With caution
Fish Safe: Yes
Invertebrate Safe: Yes
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: 68 - 83°F (20 - 28°C)
Minimum Tank Size: 125 gallons
Lighting: PAR 400 - 450+
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.
