Basic bubble coral care??

[LionfishFinatic]

What are some of the special needs for this coral as mine is starting to look a little bad, showing a little more exoskeleton.... The bubbles are still inflated and all just can see more exoskeleton than i want lol. He is under 4-24w T-5 from aquamedic. TIA

 

[seapug]

low light, low flow makes them get BIG.

 

[paininthewrasse]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10373222#post10373222 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by seapug
low light, low flow makes them get BIG.

yep..

I'm guessing you need less flow..

 

[sunfish11]

low light, low flow makes them get BIG.

I don't know about that. I have a ocotobubble that I bought as a little guy (18 months ago?) and kept in my nano cube. It didn't start to grow until I put it into my 210 with 3x 250 Watt MH with T5 atinic, and really good flow. It is now around 12"+. At the very least I would say that lots of food makes them grow big rather than low light low flow. They seem to be able to acclimatize to different lighting and flow conditions IME.

Lisa

 

[seapug]

Feeding indeed helps (mine does catch food, too ), but what I have read is that these guys naturally occur under somewhat protected overhangs and on vertical walls. They use their expandable bubbles to regulate surface area available for photosynthesis. When they are in lower light conditions, they expand larger to expose more surface area to capture light. It would follow that lower light conditions in protected areas on a reef probably have somewhat reduced flow as well, which keeps the bubbles from getting beat up and shredded. I may be wrong, but it's what works for me. If you currently have it in a high light, high flow area and it's not happy, it's worth trying the opposite.

 

[skyhigh]

Low light,Low flow and feeding should be all it need.

 

[thecichlidpleco]

sunfish11, how is the care for the octobubble, sent a thread out about them and no one answered, they are one of my fantasy corals right now for some reason, just like them I guess.

 

[LionfishFinatic]

well i feed him so cut up shelled shrimp (small pieces) every other day so i will try puttimg him under a overhang i guess?? Thanks for the help!

 

[sunfish11]

sunfish11, how is the care for the octobubble, sent a thread out about them and no one answered, they are one of my fantasy corals right now for some reason, just like them I guess.

It has been a very healthy and easy coral from the begining. It catches it's own food from fish feedings and seems adaptable to different light and flow conditions. It has grown very well.

Lisa

 

[Aquarist007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10379141#post10379141 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by seapug
Feeding indeed helps (mine does catch food, too ), but what I have read is that these guys naturally occur under somewhat protected overhangs and on vertical walls. They use their expandable bubbles to regulate surface area available for photosynthesis. When they are in lower light conditions, they expand larger to expose more surface area to capture light. It would follow that lower light conditions in protected areas on a reef probably have somewhat reduced flow as well, which keeps the bubbles from getting beat up and shredded. I may be wrong, but it's what works for me. If you currently have it in a high light, high flow area and it's not happy, it's worth trying the opposite.

I agree with seapug
http://www.reefcorner.com/SpecimenSheets/bubble_coral.htm

 

[Serioussnaps]

It is ACCLIMATE not acclimatize..........this one kills me I see it all over the place.

 

[thecichlidpleco]

I have never noticed anyone doing that, hilarious, keyto pronounced cheeto is also golden. But thanks sunfish for the info and allowing us to poke fun.

 

[drummereef]

Thought this link might help.

http://www.asira.org/plerogyraandphysogyra(bubblecoral)

 

[sunfish11]

It is ACCLIMATE not acclimatize..........this one kills me I see it all over the place.

ac·cli·ma·tize (-klm-tz) KEY

VERB:
ac·cli·ma·tized , ac·cli·ma·tiz·ing , ac·cli·ma·tiz·es
VERB:
tr.

To acclimate. See Synonyms at harden.
To adapt (oneself), especially to environmental or climatic changes.
VERB:
intr.

To become acclimated or adapted.

SO THERE LOL.

Here is my bubble at night with it's feeding tentacles out. he is probably about 12-14" across and 8-10" high.