Rhizotrochus typus

Milne-Edwards & Haime, 1848

Rhizo Coral

Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: Red Sea, South Africa, Andaman Islands, Nicobar Islands, Borneo, Japan, New Caledonia, and Solomon Islands.

Natural Environment: Inhabits deep protected reef/cave environments.

General Husbandry: This species 'was' mostly collected in southern Japan waters, and was seen in different colors depending upon origin, such as pink, green, yellow, and the more common white color.

This non-photosynthetic coral is a solitary (non-colonial) member in this genus and is, from the best info I have, no longer collected legally as I believe its been placed on the Endangered Species List.

Nevertheless, possibly due to it being easily misidentified for similar looking species when closed, it may occasionally show up in the trade, and when so, needs the same care as do Tubastrea corals, i.e., shaded cave-like areas and individually fed meaty foods once or twice weekly, which should consist of shredded fresh fish/shrimp flesh, scallops, krill, sinking shrimp pellets, and live, fortified adult brine shrimp.

I've maintained specimens in the distant past and found by overfeeding this coral it would cause it to go through odd shape changes and would take about a week to regain its original shape. Again, if having this species, feeding it once or twice weekly will suffice nicely.

Taxonomy:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Cnidaria

Class: Anthozoa

Subclass: Hexacorallia

Order: Scleractinia

Family: Flabellidae

Genus: Rhizotrochus

FYI: Generally a white color, but some nice color variations exist.

Does best at the cooler end of the range.

Experience Level: Expert

Diet: Carnivior/Plankton feeder

Temperament: Semi-aggressive

Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium

Coral Safe: With caution

Fish Safe: Yes

Invertebrate Safe: With caution

Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+

Aquarium Hardiness: Difficult

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: 70 - 81°F (21 - 27°C)

Minimum Tank Size: 50 gallons

Lighting: PAR 150

Water Movement: WM 2

Specific Gravity: 1.023 - 1.025

pH: 8.0 - 8.4

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