New Sun Coral... I Got a Couple Questions.

[jamesbaur13]

Hello, I just picked up a very nice looking yellow sun coral.

I realized after purchasing that it wasn't in the best of shape. There are some sponges that had taken root in areas which tissue had receded between the heads. I have not yet pulled the dead sponges off... I'm worried about disturbing this guy too much because he needs to be fed.

I have been shutting my lights out after I feed the fish (around 6pm) and been using oyster feast, drizzling the polyps with a turkey baster, to try to coax the polyps to open. It takes a while for some of the polyps to come out (approx 1/3 of them come out), most of them stay closed. the ones I can get to open I've been feeding them mysis.

How important is it that every polyp gets fed? Do they share nutrients with neighboring polyps?

I'm worried if I can't get these other heads to open I'm gonna lose a sizable chunk of my coral.

 

[MarineSniper]

Those other heads will be perfectly fine and eating before you know it. The open polyps are very well extended for a new arrival and the ones that aren't open yet are still in very good condition. I've seen colonies in far worse condition brought back to health. You have a very good colony there and I'd keep doing what you're doing. If they don't open, for some unforeseen reason, let us know, or pm me

It's important to hit every head but not necessarily every feeding. Just make every attempt to do so. If you can, I would buy a Sea Squirt, by Kent. Expandable, more accurate and food won't pour out. I had to make the opening a bit larger, for mysid but that worked out well since it was just the right size to squirt a few mysid at a time

Good luck with your new addition (off to bed, have an arcohelia arriving by 10:30 this morning!)

 

[krzyphsygy]

I have had a sun coral for about 2 months now, I am by no means an expert, however I have read plenty on these corals and there are alot of conflicting information on this.

For that reason here is how I do it. I filter feed Reef Chile and Cyclopeez every three days for all my corals through broadcast feeding. I also feed my Duncans and Sun corals cut up pieces of large shrimp. I only feed the shrimp the heads I can get too or reach and all of my heads are in good condition with new healthy heads popping up regularly.

IMO, if the colony is once piece, then spot feeding shrimp or something meaty to the heads in the center, the rest of the colony gets nutrition as well. Now I think feeding each head is great, but I do not think its needed to spot feed all of them. I get all of them through filter feeding.

 

[jamesbaur13]

Thanks for the replys.

That pic was taken after 1hr of "teasing" him with the oyster feast.

Since then I have moved to another method... I'm removing him and placing him in a tupperware container. I'm getting more polyps to extend, but I still have some which are being stubborn. I'm afraid to go over an hour in the container.

I was curious, what is the risk of leaving him in the container for longer than 1hr?

I figured out a way of partially submerging the container in the tank to help regulate the temperature... is just making sure the water stays oxygenated the only concern with this method?

 

[StephLionfish]

I've left mine in containers for 3 hours before.. not sure how great that is for them, but it's that or death. Your sun really isn't in that bad of shape. Make sure every head eats, keep it in good flow, and it should be nice and filled in soon.

 

[accordsirh22]

as stated, your sun is not in bad shape. it looks fairly puffy which is a good thing. i also do not think that every single head has to be fed. with the two i have ( black and orange ), i broadcast feed a more liquid/soupy mix of rotifers/cyclops/prawn roe/reef chili/amino acids/ with some brine and mysis. wait about 20 mins til its fully open, then i feed as many of the heads as possible with a turkey baster. i try to do this 2-3 times a week. it also opens regularly in the late afternoon/early evening before the lights go out. and it is also usually open at night as well