Heliofungia actiniformis (Long Tentacle Plate) anyone have advice?

[daveverdo]

I saw a really nice looking Heliofungia actiniformis at the LFS store last week. It was still there today and still looks nice.

I read a few places that they are hard to keep. I was wondering if anyone has experience.

I have a fairly large open are where it wouldn't be near anything else. By near I mean 4-5". Bottom of a 90g with 5x54W T5. Only other coral I have are zoanthids, Hammer, Frogspwn, mushrooms, and sarcos.

I also have two false percs and a sixline but plan to add some more.

Dave

 

[Eastamherstbias]

The one that I had did not last long in my tank and I usually have good luck with plates.

 

[Johnny C]

I've never seen a heliofungia survive for more than 6-8 weeks in a captive environment. In my opinion it's one of those species that's best left in the wild.

 

[reefboarder]

I have had my short tentacle plate for four years, even survived the catastrophe in the fall where most of everything I had died.
With that being said, I tried my hand twice at long tentacled varieties and neither made it long, about 6-8 weeks to be specific.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

I've never seen a heliofungia survive for more than 6-8 weeks in a captive environment. In my opinion it's one of those species that's best left in the wild.

x2

but Dave.. wasn't there somebody in the Southern Tier Forum that had some success with Heliofungia for awhile.... I seem to recall a thread.
Do a search. Please link it here if you find it

 

[daveverdo]

Thanks Gary. This must be the thread to which you are referring.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1277125&highlight=heliofungia

RyanM's LTP looks exactly like mine, even the spot feeding pictures are the exact way mine looked yesterday when I spot fed it some mysis.

It is good to see his lived for some time. He hasn't posted in a few years and sold his 120 some time ago.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

that's the thread!

so.. there's some hope. Kinda. Looks like you'll need to be diligent.

 

[daveverdo]

Every place I read about success talked about low flow, moderate light, and spot feeding. Because I am not trying to keep other high light - high flow corals I may have some luck. Only time will tell.

 

[GMaquarium]

I used to think they had poor survival rate because of their skeletal structure. Their septal teeth are elevated and very sharp. Most corals with similar structure are poor shippers. The coral tissue gets cut up by skeleton during transport. Although its a part of why they don't do well its not everything. It doesn't explain why they can look healthy for months before dying. Personally have not owned one in many years and sometimes so tempted to try. They are beautiful corals.