Lacy bryozoans anyone?

[2534878]

Anyone every kept this type of coral? I'm putting it in the advanced because I was wondering, if #1 it is possible to keep them, and #2, they secrete calcium, can you use that as beneficial to growing a reef?

 

[billsreef]

Bryozoans are not corals, though they do filter feed and secrete calcium. They need good current and excellent water quality.

 

[2534878]

Sorry about not knowing. I was reading a picture book and the caption said it was a filter feeder coral and they REALLY help keep corals healthy. I was just wondering since it worked on a large scale like keeping coral reefs healthy, if it would work on a smaller scale too. Given of course that you could keep the coral itself healthy.

 

[billsreef]

What book were you reading? Bryozoans are merely just another animal, and while they filter feed, they don't in and of themselves do anything for keeping corals healthy. They are cool though

 

[2534878]

lol it was "The Ocean" by Jacques Custeau. It was for a research project. Pretty old.

 

[dendro982]

I had different type of bryozoans, red horn, and they were smothered by hair algae in tank with non-photosynthetic corals. Seems to be very fine filter feeder.

 

[dots]

I was reading an article by Ron Shimek I believe, stating that most of this specie does not thrive well in captivity, ultimatly dying off.

Though I have seen one or two "hairs" growing in most SPS tanks, I have been literaly overrun with a bryozoan that is of the non calcareas type.

I don't know what I do to encourage this, but it loves me and I can find nothing to eat it. I have learned to live with it, as it doesn't seem to be getting any worse....and at one point was told its common in older tanks........but mine ain't that old!!

When noone could id it, I tracked this down which is a dead on match......and scared me as it is commonly named "Sea Mat" and had visions of GSP type overun.

crisia eburnea