My first sun coral

[Dave.H]

I've been wanting on of these for a while. There are some real beauty's that some of you guys have in your posts. I have been reading everything that I can, in hopes for success in keeping them. This one came into my LFS last week, and they were holding it for me. I picked it up today.

I picked a spot with good flow and a little shade, hope it stays happy.

 

[Mpfaff77]

Really looks nice. Just make sure you try to feed each head. I'd shoot for 3 times a week at least.

 

[alan.reef]

nice pick Dave.
dont let the sand sit on top of them, or the tissue will slowly die off.

 

[Dave.H]

Really looks nice. Just make sure you try to feed each head. I'd shoot for 3 times a week at least.

Thanks Mpfaff77,
I fed them last night, after the main lights were off and the moon lights were still on. This morning they looked like they were taking a dump ( I guess? ) as their mouths were open, expelling some gooie stuff.

Thanks alan.reef,

They are setting on a flat rock, thanks for the tip about the sand, I will keep a look out for any build up.

 

[noy]

nice looking corals. what are you feeding them, I find the only time when they expel is when they've been fed something they don't agree with and that's rare.

 

[Dave.H]

nice looking corals. what are you feeding them, I find the only time when they expel is when they've been fed something they don't agree with and that's rare.

I have been giving them oyster eggs and brine shrimp. Is there something better to feed them?

 

[noy]

I have been giving them oyster eggs and brine shrimp. Is there something better to feed them?

I had the same reaction with oyster eggs. I would stay away from that.

I feed mine a rotation of frozen brine, Mysis, and blood worms. Once in a while I feed live brine as a treat. I have videos of the feedings on a thread here.

 

[Dave.H]

I had the same reaction with oyster eggs. I would stay away from that.

I feed mine a rotation of frozen brine, Mysis, and blood worms. Once in a while I feed live brine as a treat. I have videos of the feedings on a thread here.

Thanks noy, I fed them some frozen brine shrimp this morning before the lights came on.

I put a small flashlight on it to get this pic.

It seemed to like them. I'll try some mysis and some blood worms next.
Thanks Dave.

 

[icecool217]

Very healthy looking sun corals. Don't even worry about shading them. Once you train them to open up at feeding times, they won't care whether it is bright out or not. Just gotta target feed them a few times a week.

 

[Dave.H]

Thanks icecool217,
The more I read, and all the advice I get from the forum, the better I feel about caring for them.

 

[Mpfaff77]

Yea it is easier than I thought at first too. The worst think IME is the fish and crabs trying to take all of the food from the polyps. I have to fight them off with turkey baster.

 

[Dave.H]

Yea it is easier than I thought at first too. The worst think IME is the fish and crabs trying to take all of the food from the polyps. I have to fight them off with turkey baster.

I have the same problem with a skunk shrimp, he wants to sample everything. I have to watch him while I feed the suns, he don't eat the food, he just steels it from the polyps and lets it go.

 

[Felix T Cat]

The next time you buy a 20oz soda save the bottle (or a 1L water bottle if the 20 oz isn't big enough) Rinse the bottle really well and then cut the bottle right at the bottom of the neck. Next feeding time place the cut bottle over the sun coral and squirt the food into the "mouth" of the bottle.
I actually even have to screw on the cap while my sun coral is eating otherwise my blenny will get into the bottle with my sun.

 

[noy]

The next time you buy a 20oz soda save the bottle (or a 1L water bottle if the 20 oz isn't big enough) Rinse the bottle really well and then cut the bottle right at the bottom of the neck. Next feeding time place the cut bottle over the sun coral and squirt the food into the "mouth" of the bottle.
I actually even have to screw on the cap while my sun coral is eating otherwise my blenny will get into the bottle with my sun.

I would suggest a slight variation of the above to minimize waste. Use a turkey baster (or "Julian's thing") and target feed each polyp. After they are fed then put the 1L bottle over the coral so shrimps etc. can't get at it.

Also, try putting some food first in the corner of the tank for the shrimp and then feed your coral right after. That works if you don't have a lot of shrimp.

 

[Dave.H]

I would suggest a slight variation of the above to minimize waste. Use a turkey baster (or "Julian's thing") and target feed each polyp. After they are fed then put the 1L bottle over the coral so shrimps etc. can't get at it.

Also, try putting some food first in the corner of the tank for the shrimp and then feed your coral right after. That works if you don't have a lot of shrimp.

Thanks for the tips,The place I have the coral will not allow me to put a bottle over them, However placing a piece of shrimp tied to a small rock in the far corner of the tank worked like a charm. They pecked and pulled at it long enough for the suns to eat. I have been using a turkey baster and the suns are feeding much faster than when I first got them.
When the corals are done I can remove the leftover shrimp. Anyway it worked today. :celeb1: