Distichopora ( fire coral )

[graveyardworm]

First let me say Yeehaaaaw for the new forum.

Recently I came across a purple fire coral Distichpora at an LFS. I'm wondering if anone has had success and if they can provide any specifics on care. At the moment I'm feeding shellfish diet, and rotifeast at a rate of 1 -2 capfule per day in a 180g mixed reef display. I've mounted the coral upside down in a cave with good flow as I've seen in many pics of natural ones. I've only had it maybe a couple weeks and so far it appears to be doing well.

Here's when I first got it.

Then mounted in the display.

 

[Kolognekoral]

Nice colour, Dave. I've yet to find any of the fire corals in an LFS. With such fine 'corallites' you might want to try Fauna Marin Clam, which is very fine, plus, I've been using Sponge Power from Korallenzucht to generally enhance particulate food and my sponges have really profited, but, also, small hydoids, which are close relatives of the firecorals.

Is where you've positioned the coral also having current from the back of the rock? I think I see light on the other side. Also, how did you attach it?

 

[graveyardworm]

The cave goes clear through the rock structure with good flow through. I attached it by taking out one of the upper rocks in the cave and superglueing it to the underside.

Despite its difficult care requirements, I purchased this one because they are so rarely seen at the hobby atleast by me anyway. Normally I would leave such a creature, but in this case I dont believe there is a huge collection impact, atleat not yet. So i figured what the heck I'll give it a shot.

How would such a creature react if its care requirements arent being met? Corals are pretty easy to tell when something is wrong, but where this has no visible structures to give a clue to its health I'm a bit lost. I'm guessing the color would begin to recede perhaps from the tips first?

 

[Kreeger1]

Nice find, I'm looking for something similar as well.

 

[Saldarya]

IF the coral begins to suffer it iwll not neccesarilly lose color rather it will begin to encrusted by Corraline or Algae. I have kept a number of them off and on and here are a couple of tips. In general, the color will remain long after it is dead.

Concerning flow, it does not need to be chaotic like it is in many of our tanks. I woudl say ideally good, een flow through that lil cave in one direction.

If you look closely, you will see fine hair like 'polyps'. Not what they are but you get the point. As far as feeding, continue to feed the tank like you woudl for any non photo corals. I too use the sponge power from KZ and this appears to be a very nice product.

Here us a pic of mine....

 

[graveyardworm]

Very nice, how long have you had it, and has it grown at all?

 

[Saldarya]

Sorry for the delay,

It lasted about 6 months, some minimal growth in the beginning but did not fare well over time. These pieces as like most NPC, they need a fairly species specific tank. Definetly not a good mix for SPS tanks IMO.

I do think you woudl be able to maintain them though if you can suit their needs.