Carnation Coral, hard to keep?

[Iron Maiden]

I got a rather bright orange Carnation coral yesterday at my LFS. The info in the books says that it is hard to keep. Anyone have experience with this, any advice?

 

[rcmike]

Yes, pretty close to impossible actually. It requires constant feeding of zooplankton.

 

[AndyB4784]

It will die. Dendronepthia's feeding requirements are unknown.

 

[Salamander]

Trade it in for something that will live. LFS's shouldn't even be selling these, SS stars and many other creatures that will not live in out tanks.

 

[AquaReeferMan]

Yeah you should have researched before you bought it. They are non photosynthetic soft corals. They need to eat all the time. They usually just waste away. They are better off in the ocean with a endless supply of plankton

 

[sweevo]

I was sold one of these a couple of years ago and rang the store back once I'd realised what i'd gone and bought. I just saw it as a soft coral in my ignorance. The guy who ran the store told me not to worry and that it would be fine if I kept it out of the light and in a cave!!!

Needless to say the poor thing perished over a few months.

I'd take it back and use the refund to get something else.

 

[kuoka]

AquaReefer is right. They do best in low light so you wouldn't get to see them during prime time. They also require strong current. I'd take it back.

 

[ahullsb]

I made the mistake and bought one about 4 months ago. It looked fine for a month or two and then withered away. And I too had it in a cave, upside down, out of the light. I doubt you will find anyone who has kept one alive for very long!

 

[AquaKnight]

Not sure if there's actual a coral harder to care for?