Heteropsammia cochlea

(Spengler, 1781)

Walking Dendro

Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: Red Sea, Eastern Africa, Philippines, Southern Japan, New Caledonia, and Northern Australia.

Natural Environment: Inhabits sandy and muddy bottom areas on slightly inclined reefs and seen at depths usually no deeper than 130 feet (40 m).

Aquarium Suitability: Rarely seen in the trade.

An oddball, as it lives in a commensal relationship a sipunculid worm (Aspidosiphon corallicola), usually called a peanut worm.

Living in muddy/sandy areas and usually attached to small pieces of shell/rubble can often cause sediment to coat the polyps, but the movement of the worm at its base 'pushes' these small growths in various directions, helping to discard the sediment coating. Hence, the coral walking name!

It also contains symbiotic algae, which is quite rare for those in this family; therefore, placement in moderately lit areas receiving low to moderate water movement is recommended.

It also should be fed several times weekly when its feeding tentacles are displayed. Meaty foods such as fortified brine shrimp, mysis, small pieces of marine fish/shrimp flesh, and/or products containing Cyclop-eeze or similar type products will suffice.

Consider placing the oddball coral and worm (if available) in a small biotope system if at all possible.

Taxonomy:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Cnidaria

Class: Anthozoa

Subclass: Hexacorallia

Order: Scleractinia

Family: Dendrophylliidae

Genus: Heteropsammia

FYI: In the wild, overall yellowish, greyish, oe greenish.

Experience Level: Intermediate

Diet: Photosynthetic /Plankton Feeder

Temperament: Peaceful

Aquarium Environment: Single species/Biotope 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: 74 - 83°F (23 - 28°C)

Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons

Lighting: PAR 250 - 300

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.