Plate Corals...Hardy or Not???

The Saltwater Kid · 01/13/2007, 06:23 PM

I am thinking of purchasing a Green Long Tentacle Plate Coral from my LFS for about $70 (he says it's 7" in diameter) but I've heard conflicting views on RC about them, some people say they are a hardy coral and easy to care for while others say they are very difficult to keep alive long-term and can perish overnight after weeks/months of looking healthy and happy. I would like to know the genral concensus on this before I plunk down $70 on something that has a better then average chance of dying on me. My water params are good and I have 130w of PC lighting on my 29g, what do you think...buy it or spend money on something with a better survival trackrecord?

Gary Majchrzak · 01/13/2007, 06:27 PM

You need to positively identify the coral species you're considering purchasing. Use whatever reliable references you can.
I don't know of anyone keeping Heliofungia actiniformis alive for any great length of time while most Fungia species are very hardy.

a link to pix and info on H. actiniformis:
http://whelk.aims.gov.au/coralsearch...0pages/210.htm

I've noticed that a lot of these are being imported lately.

Peter Eichler · 01/13/2007, 06:31 PM

The Heliofungia sp. (long tentacle) can be pretty difficult, Fungia Sp. are a little sturdier. I'd stay away and get something a little hardier if I were you.

The Saltwater Kid · 01/13/2007, 07:02 PM

This is a direct quote from Liveaquaria.com

"The Long Tentacle Plate Coral is easy to maintain in the reef aquarium and makes an excellent candidate for the beginner reef aquarist. It requires moderate lighting combined with moderate water movement within the aquarium."

This is why I am confused and wondering if I should or shouldn't get one.

The Saltwater Kid · 01/13/2007, 07:03 PM

Here's the link...

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/p...pcatid=481&N=0

wrott · 01/13/2007, 07:37 PM

I have a short tent. plate now for 2+ yrs--they are very hardy.
I have "heard" that long tents. are difficult to keep.

Peter Eichler · 01/13/2007, 07:48 PM

There are lots of conflicting reports on this species. Even the people that claim them to be easy have to acknowledge that they're prone to brown jelly infections and damage when being collected and shipped. The brown jelly infections are always fatal with this species IME. In addition I've seen too many of them just waste away without the occurence of protozoa or infection.

If you want to believe a site that is in the business of making money off of live corals and fish then go for it. I'm sure you could find some "experts" that could claim they're hardy as well. But I've seen too many do poorly after being in the business for several years to ever think they're anything but iffy at best.

Amphiprion · 01/13/2007, 07:53 PM

^^^ Of the hundreds of specimens that I have seen, most experience this fate soon after arrival. I would avoid this species.

IslandCrow · 01/13/2007, 08:19 PM

Even though I'm a big fan of Live Aquaria, I'd be really careful trusting their opinion on the ease of care for a coral, since in the end, they're trying to get you to spend money. Anyway, I don't have any personal experience, but here's a brief quote from Eric Borneman's Corals book (great book by the way!):

Fungia: Overall, these corals are quite successful in the aquarium, provided they are properly handled and placed. They should be located on a soft or rubble bottom to prevent damage from falls. . .

Heliofungia: . . .more delicate than Fungia and can die quickly from nettling (by other corals' nematocysts), injury, or infection. Other than those limitations, the conditions for their success are similar to Fungia.

So, what Mr. Majchrzak said.

The Saltwater Kid · 01/13/2007, 09:35 PM

sounds like the risk is greater then the reward with this particular species. I think I'll spend my $70 on something with a better chance for survival...my LFS did say he also has a very nice Pink Tipped Torch Coral in stock :-).

jag1979 · 01/14/2007, 07:20 AM

I really love my short tenticle, fun to watch eat I place a piece of krill on it and it very slowly brings it to its mouth, opens up and gone.

01/13/2007, 06:23 PM	#1
The Saltwater Kid Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Barre, VT Posts: 2,586	Plate Corals...Hardy or Not??? I am thinking of purchasing a Green Long Tentacle Plate Coral from my LFS for about $70 (he says it's 7" in diameter) but I've heard conflicting views on RC about them, some people say they are a hardy coral and easy to care for while others say they are very difficult to keep alive long-term and can perish overnight after weeks/months of looking healthy and happy. I would like to know the genral concensus on this before I plunk down $70 on something that has a better then average chance of dying on me. My water params are good and I have 130w of PC lighting on my 29g, what do you think...buy it or spend money on something with a better survival trackrecord? __________________ Oceanic Biocube 14g Nano Tank w/middle chamber refugium mod 2 Ecoxotic Power Pro LED Modules (1 - 12K/Royal Blue combo, 1 - Royal Blue) MaxiJet 900 return, VorTech MP10 circulation Livestock: Higher End Z's & P's, few mushrooms, Aussie Duncan, Maxi Mini Carpet Anemone

01/13/2007, 06:27 PM	#2
Gary Majchrzak Team RC Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 41,560	You need to positively identify the coral species you're considering purchasing. Use whatever reliable references you can. I don't know of anyone keeping Heliofungia actiniformis alive for any great length of time while most Fungia species are very hardy. a link to pix and info on H. actiniformis: http://whelk.aims.gov.au/coralsearch...0pages/210.htm I've noticed that a lot of these are being imported lately. __________________ over 24 years experience with multiple types of marine aquarium systems see Upstate Reef Society Forum on RC and FB GOOGLE JUNIOR'S REEF Current Tank Info: 84x24x30 265g reef past TOTM honors

01/13/2007, 06:31 PM	#3
Peter Eichler Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Milwaukee Posts: 6,081	The Heliofungia sp. (long tentacle) can be pretty difficult, Fungia Sp. are a little sturdier. I'd stay away and get something a little hardier if I were you. __________________ April 2015 TOTM

01/13/2007, 07:02 PM	#4
The Saltwater Kid Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Barre, VT Posts: 2,586	This is a direct quote from Liveaquaria.com "The Long Tentacle Plate Coral is easy to maintain in the reef aquarium and makes an excellent candidate for the beginner reef aquarist. It requires moderate lighting combined with moderate water movement within the aquarium." This is why I am confused and wondering if I should or shouldn't get one. __________________ Oceanic Biocube 14g Nano Tank w/middle chamber refugium mod 2 Ecoxotic Power Pro LED Modules (1 - 12K/Royal Blue combo, 1 - Royal Blue) MaxiJet 900 return, VorTech MP10 circulation Livestock: Higher End Z's & P's, few mushrooms, Aussie Duncan, Maxi Mini Carpet Anemone

01/13/2007, 07:03 PM	#5
The Saltwater Kid Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Barre, VT Posts: 2,586	Here's the link... http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/p...pcatid=481&N=0 __________________ Oceanic Biocube 14g Nano Tank w/middle chamber refugium mod 2 Ecoxotic Power Pro LED Modules (1 - 12K/Royal Blue combo, 1 - Royal Blue) MaxiJet 900 return, VorTech MP10 circulation Livestock: Higher End Z's & P's, few mushrooms, Aussie Duncan, Maxi Mini Carpet Anemone

01/13/2007, 07:37 PM	#6
wrott Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,912	I have a short tent. plate now for 2+ yrs--they are very hardy. I have "heard" that long tents. are difficult to keep. __________________ OK, but where does the meat go! ------------------------------------------------ 120g SPS, 125g mix, 56g FOWLR, 20g qt

01/13/2007, 07:48 PM	#7
Peter Eichler Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Milwaukee Posts: 6,081	There are lots of conflicting reports on this species. Even the people that claim them to be easy have to acknowledge that they're prone to brown jelly infections and damage when being collected and shipped. The brown jelly infections are always fatal with this species IME. In addition I've seen too many of them just waste away without the occurence of protozoa or infection. If you want to believe a site that is in the business of making money off of live corals and fish then go for it. I'm sure you could find some "experts" that could claim they're hardy as well. But I've seen too many do poorly after being in the business for several years to ever think they're anything but iffy at best. __________________ April 2015 TOTM

01/13/2007, 07:53 PM	#8
Amphiprion Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Mobile, AL Posts: 6,611	^^^ Of the hundreds of specimens that I have seen, most experience this fate soon after arrival. I would avoid this species. __________________ You've done it now, haven't you? Current Tank Info: 40g breeder patch reef w/ seagrass; 2-250w XM 10K; Vortech MP40wES & MP10wES; BM Curve 7 skimmer; carbon & occasional GFO

01/13/2007, 08:19 PM	#9
IslandCrow Reef Monkey Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Rockledge, Fl Posts: 5,759	Even though I'm a big fan of Live Aquaria, I'd be really careful trusting their opinion on the ease of care for a coral, since in the end, they're trying to get you to spend money. Anyway, I don't have any personal experience, but here's a brief quote from Eric Borneman's Corals book (great book by the way!): Fungia: Overall, these corals are quite successful in the aquarium, provided they are properly handled and placed. They should be located on a soft or rubble bottom to prevent damage from falls. . . Heliofungia: . . .more delicate than Fungia and can die quickly from nettling (by other corals' nematocysts), injury, or infection. Other than those limitations, the conditions for their success are similar to Fungia. So, what Mr. Majchrzak said. __________________ All opinions in the above message should be taken with 35 ppt salt. -Mike C. Current Tank Info: I have a reef screen saver on my phone, does that count?

01/13/2007, 09:35 PM	#10
The Saltwater Kid Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Barre, VT Posts: 2,586	sounds like the risk is greater then the reward with this particular species. I think I'll spend my $70 on something with a better chance for survival...my LFS did say he also has a very nice Pink Tipped Torch Coral in stock :-). __________________ Oceanic Biocube 14g Nano Tank w/middle chamber refugium mod 2 Ecoxotic Power Pro LED Modules (1 - 12K/Royal Blue combo, 1 - Royal Blue) MaxiJet 900 return, VorTech MP10 circulation Livestock: Higher End Z's & P's, few mushrooms, Aussie Duncan, Maxi Mini Carpet Anemone

01/14/2007, 07:20 AM	#11
jag1979 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 982	I really love my short tenticle, fun to watch eat I place a piece of krill on it and it very slowly brings it to its mouth, opens up and gone. __________________ clowns, bi-color pseudo, coral beauty, yellow tang GBTA, crocea clam xenia, various polyps/zoa's, candy cane, tree leather, frogspawn, torch, various mushrooms, green/red plate, birdsnest Current Tank Info: 180 AGA, tunze 6100, 6025 and 6060, 3 x 250 mh's, 3 x 80 t5's, ASM G4+