The Elegance Coral is generally considered one of the most popular, most sturdy and easiest of all photosynthetic LPS corals to maintain. It was first described by Saville-Kent in 1893 under another genus name. This multi-mouth single polyp animal is almost always extended with free flowing tentacles. Some specimens have pink tipped tentacles and others have white or purple tips. The fleshy polyp is usually various shades of intense green, which is the pigment that provides its ultraviolet protection. Even though found in a variety of shapes and colors, they all belong to a single species. Most seem to come from Indonesia, however their distribution is over a much larger area.
In nature they are found in a wide assortment of environments, e.g., mud and/or sandy substrates/lagoons, seagrass beds, deep reef slopes, muddy banks, etc., with their skeleton deeply imbedded in the sediment. Since they normally reside in turbid waters they should not be placed directly under very strong light in the aquarium. They prefer moderate water circulation, will not tolerate hair algae, and will take occasional hand feedings of meaty foodstuffs. They are aggressive, with the tentacles covered with thousands of stinging cells called cnidocytes. These cells have a mechanism called a nematocyst (something like a harpoon), which is used to inject poison into anything that threatens or is considered food. Therefore, they require a lot of space in the aquarium. Some aquarists may experience an allergic reaction to their sting.
In nature they are found in a wide assortment of environments, e.g., mud and/or sandy substrates/lagoons, seagrass beds, deep reef slopes, muddy banks, etc., with their skeleton deeply imbedded in the sediment. Since they normally reside in turbid waters they should not be placed directly under very strong light in the aquarium. They prefer moderate water circulation, will not tolerate hair algae, and will take occasional hand feedings of meaty foodstuffs. They are aggressive, with the tentacles covered with thousands of stinging cells called cnidocytes. These cells have a mechanism called a nematocyst (something like a harpoon), which is used to inject poison into anything that threatens or is considered food. Therefore, they require a lot of space in the aquarium. Some aquarists may experience an allergic reaction to their sting.
Julian Sprung advocates treating newly arrived specimens of Catalaphyllia with Doxycyline in a quarantine tank or holding tank with strong aeration for a possible pathogenic bacteria. He suggests the use a concentration of 10 mg/gallon and not illuminating, as the product is photosensitive. Maintain for three days, then remove and place in display aquarium. Julian also notes that treatment can be used on a display system, but shut down the protein skimmer because the product makes it foam excessively. Leave skimmer off for 48 hours. The water may become brown colored after 24 hours. Can be removed with activated carbon. Nitrofurazone, at 25 to 50 mg/gallon in a bare holding system is also a possible treatment. Maintain for three days before removing.
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