Elegance Coral

[FireViper]

I saw a couple of very interesting looking corals at the LFS. They almost look like corals were only $30 a piece. I picked up one, though the guy said they were somewhat difficult. We've had it for several week, and it seems to be doing well.

I was back at the shop yesterday and I asked the guy what they were, as I'd forgotten what he had told me earlier: elegance corals. I looked them up and apparently they are pretty pricey online.

Any suggestions on the care and feeding of these guys? Also, as the remaining one is around 3 inches and $30, should I pick it up as well since it seems to be a bargain? Really cool corals.

Thanks!

 

[Kriegad]

$30 seems like a great price for an elegance coral! I’ve never had one but have heard a lot of people have trouble keeping them alive. Seems like they are prone to just mysteriously dying. I believe most people keep them down on the sandbed. Good luck and keep us posted on how they do for you.

 

[billdogg]

I've had mine for about 5 years now. It started as a 3" or so coral and has grown to well over 12" long and at least 8-10 wide.

They are found in relatively turbid shallow lagoons with their skeletons buried in the sand. Their soft tissue will get torn/irritated if you try to place it up on rocks.

They will tolerate bright lighting but you'll need to acclimate them to it.

Mine really seems to like the varied flow from my gyres. Strong, direct flow can cause them to close up.

I feed mine only what it gets as leftovers from the fish, although I feed a mix of Rod's/enriched brine/rotifers/etc maybe twice a week.

Your mileage may vary, but that's what is working for me.

hth!

 

[Crooked Reef]

In the sand, low to medium flow and feed them. They like frozen mysis shrimp. They are also snail assasins. They will sting, kill and eat any snails that get close enough. Make sure there is space between them and other corals. They will sting others.

For $30 I would buy another in a heartbeat. The Indonesian ones are not as hardy as the aussies but seeing as how Indo banned exports that shouldn’t be an issue. Also do not try to frag these. You will kill it.

 

[MarineGP]

There are beautiful ... Mine nearly fills a 37 gallon cube during the day .... This photo is tonight ....

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

 

[FireViper]

Grabbed the second one today. The first is in the rocks, has somewhat higher flow and seems happy. The second in the substrate, a little less flow. Should be an interesting comparison.

Thanks for the suggestions and the advice!