Range: Western Pacific Ocean

Natural Environment: This suspension feeder is found in protected areas receiving gentle water movement and usually inhabits areas on reef drop-offs and those under overhangs. Color depends upon its area of origin.

General Husbandry: Unfortunately this and most others in this phylum require heavy concentrations of suspended food particles and/or bacteria laden waters. For those that want to maintain them in aquaria, these creatures require numerous feedings per day of live and/or preserved commercial phytoplankton products or that of animal and plant powders that produce suspended products in the bulk water. Proper placement is also quite important. Generally, most prefer low light and do better with indirect light and gentle water movement.

Besides being difficult to maintain, they have a very short life span, usually about one year and sometimes far less. Only those willing to provide for their demanding level of care should attempt keeping them in closed systems. Actually, 99.9% should be left in the wild.

Water quality requirements are: Calcium 380 - 430 ppm, Alkalinity 3.5 meq/l, pH 8.1 - 8.2, Specific Gravity 1.025, Phosphate < .05 ppm, and a temperature range of 72 to 83°F (22 - 28°C).