Coral is it gonna die? Help please - Newbie

[Pinkfish]

Hi all the other half decided to buy me a coral (one in picture), problem is I have no idea what it is. When she asked in the shop the guy didnt know (I guess not a good shop she went to)

Anyone know what it is ? Its bright Pink

I placed it into the tank near the bottom,same day, and the following day I noticed that it had shrunk to half its size.

I moved it tonight when I got in from work and its now near the top of the tank (Still shrunken)
Water Paras are fine.

Im only using T5 Lights at the moment

Is this coral ok or is it going to perish ?

What should I do?

[TerraC]

it looks like a Dendronephthya, very difficult coral to keep. needs regular feeding with phytoplankton.

Found on web:

The Carnation Tree Coral or Dendronephthya Carnation is one of the most beautiful and peaceful corals, and is also known as the Cauliflower Soft Coral, or Strawberry Soft Coral. There are over 250 different identified Dendronephthya species. It is found in a variety of flamboyant colors with red or orange being the most common. It is normally shipped while attached to a small piece of live rock or coral rubble.

It is extremely difficult to maintain in the reef aquarium, and should be housed in an established reef aquarium, by the more advanced marine aquarist. It requires low lighting combined with medium to strong water movement. It is necessary to have a constant current with an abundance of algal plankton. For continued good health, it will also require the addition of strontium, iodine, and other trace elements to the water.

It does not contain the symbiotic algae zooxanthellae. Therefore, its diet should include live, baby brine shrimp, micro-plankton, and other small foods designed for filter feeding invertebrates, in order to survive in the reef aquarium. These foods must be available almost constantly. Again, only expert aquarists should attempt to keep this coral.

[Kev]

Hi PinkFish

In my opinion, if this is a species of Dendronephtya, I would not fancy the chances of sucess. I have been keeping softies for a long time now, but this is always a species I have avoided.

On a plus note, it is not unusual for a soft coral to close right up when introduced to a new system. I have in the past experienced some specimens that have taken over a month to open up to their full glory.

This is not a very helpful response I am afraid.

Kev

[Tangman]

Hi Pinkfish. I will agree with TerraC it looks to me like a dendro, they can be kept if your willing to feed them regulary and keep them in the shade hung upside down in a cave is the best place. HTH. Eric

[TerraC]

http://www.reefcorals.co.uk/forums/imagehosting/thum_11745218c5b5fa07.jpg (http://www.reefcorals.co.uk/forums/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=55)

This is a picture of mine, I had it for almost a year before it perished. Kept it alive as long as I could with regular blasts of live phyto, at least 3 times per week.

[tonyponty]

its a shame it is a beutiful coral good luck with it

[Reefer]

Beautiful coral I can see why she bought it. These shouldnt really be collected from the wild if they are doomed to die in our tanks.

[Pinkfish]

feed it with phytoplankton, forgive my ignorance but I have marine snow is this the same ?

And you all think I should move it from the top then? ..... It seems to have extended itself again where it is at the top. Even has what looks like minute polyps coming out.

Is it possible that this coral shrinks whens lights turned off ??

I have added a picture of what the coral looks like right now.

Thanks
Mike

[TerraC]

heres some info on phyto for you:

http://www.phytoaqua.com/

[flying Jock]

Hi

As the guys agve said it is a dendro.

Needs to be out of bright light and in the shade with a gentle current.

Also as said regular feeds of phyto will help but they really do not have the best of survival rates.

One that should be on CITITES and not in dealers tanks.

Good luck

FJ

[Kev]

Gloomy outlook for this one then.

Kev