Coral ID - Trying to correct a rookie move

[Zbreefer]

So I made a rookie mistake and bought some coral frags without knowing what they were and what they required. I told the LFS I was looking for beginner, but I'm sure he was willing to sell me anything I showed interest in. The good news is they have all survived in my QT for over 2 months, and seem to be happy. That being said, as I prepare to transition them to my DT, I'd like to know what they are, so I can research there lighting and flow needs and place them appropriately. I appreciate your help ID'ing these.

Thanks in advance, ZB

PS - I'm working on the hair algae with GFO.

 

[Zbreefer]

2 more. Thanks everyone.

 

[joshky]

#1 Acan Lord
#2 Goniastrea (looks like it's dying)
#3 Scolymia
#4 Green Star Polyps
#5 Clove Polyps
#6 Hammer
#7 Blasto Merletti most likely, could be Wellsi though.

 

[Zbreefer]

Thanks. I do appreciate it. Any fish store recommendations between Lexington and Cincinnati?

 

[organism]

Actually those are all pretty good beginner corals, how much did you pay for them if you don't mind me asking?

 

[dendrite]

nice scoly, get rid of the hair algae on the clove polyps

 

[Zbreefer]

Thanks everyone. I think the lot was roughly $200-$250, can't remember exactly. That seem fair or rip off?

I'm working on the hair algae......:hammer:

 

[joshky]

Thanks everyone. I think the lot was roughly $200-$250, can't remember exactly. That seem fair or rip off?

I'm working on the hair algae......:hammer:

Sounds fair, best of luck with them. Try spot feeding the Goniastrea to try and nurse it back, might be too far gone though.

 

[organism]

That's not a bad price for an LFS, it sounds like they're one of the good ones

 

[Zbreefer]

Spot fed some Mysis today for the first time. The Blasto, Hammer and Acan responded well, the others either didn't react or closed up(GSP). The Goniastrea showed no response. Also, the Scoly showed no response. I did feed with lights on, and know that some of these "open up" at night and put "tentacles" out, I assume to catch food floating by. I went to feed after lights out and the Scoly was not opened up like it used to do. I'm taking that as a bad sign. Any advice on that one or the Goniastrea?

 

[joshky]

Spot fed some Mysis today for the first time. The Blasto, Hammer and Acan responded well, the others either didn't react or closed up(GSP). The Goniastrea showed no response. Also, the Scoly showed no response. I did feed with lights on, and know that some of these "open up" at night and put "tentacles" out, I assume to catch food floating by. I went to feed after lights out and the Scoly was not opened up like it used to do. I'm taking that as a bad sign. Any advice on that one or the Goniastrea?

Perhaps try placing pellets on them after an hour of lights out, they may show a feeding response then. I wouldn't worry so much about the scoly right now, while feeding it isn't a bad idea, it looks healthy and is not the main concern.

 

[Dreech15]

Wow sounds like you got a pretty good deal on the lot. Nice job keeping them alive for the past two moths as well

 

[organism]

You don't need to feed them, they're photosynthetic and will be more than ok with just light alone. Even though you can feed them it's generally a bad idea for newer hobbyists since it's extremely easy to overdo (you probably overdid it already) and you can really tank your water quality.

 

[Zbreefer]

The Scoly was open in the morning before the lights came on, so I'm less worried about that one now. I will feed sparingly while they remain in QT for another week or so to keep water quality up. Once they are in the display tank, the bio filter should be more than adequate.

Any recommendations on feeding schedules, or food products to use?

Thanks for the continued help,
ZB

 

[organism]

The thing is your biofilter doesn't control phosphates. A lot of newer people quit there hobby because they can't get rid of the algae caused by overfeeding since the phosphates get absorbed into the rock and can stay there for months. You could be fighting algae in July that you're creating the food for now.

You don't need to feed, not in your tank and especially not in qt. It's something you can consider doing once you have a stable tank with no algae, but it's not a necessity nor something you should even be worrying about at this point imo.

 

[bbaz123456]

That looks like it may be briopsis on the clove polyps. If it is, you definitely want to get rid of it before putting into your display if you have not already. It will turn into a nightmare!!

 

[organism]

Wait why do you even have them in qt? None of them have common pests or parasites...

 

[Zbreefer]

Thanks for the thoughts. I have them in QT, because I've bought into QT'ing everything wet. I'm glad I did as they had worms on them, although a dip probably would have taken care of that. I'm basically putting the frags in a fishless system for 75 days, and then introducing to the DT. I'll hold off on feeding and work to get the algae under control. I do have GFO running in the DT.

How do I distinguish bryopsis from GHA?

 

[organism]

Bryopsis has a feathery look and grows pretty dense, it looks like your cloves could very well have some on there. I'm pretty sure it also has horns and carries a little pitchfork while rampaging around your tank smothering everything. It's hard to remove, even if you get it off the rock it's pretty dug in there and just keeps growing back... I've had it sprout from nowhere after 6 months with none in the tank before, it's a tough little beast.

 

[Zbreefer]

Do you fight it with GFO, or do I have to pray for an army of angels to strike it down?:fun2: