Picked up an Elegance.

[TheHoove]

So I picked up this Elegance yesterday for $18.99 from a LFS. Ive read about the difficulties of keeping them due to the Indonesian vs Australian corals. Unfortunately I don't know where this one came from. But for the price I couldn't pass it up. Ive always loved them, and I had a gift certificate! I hope it makes it!

 

[sqwat]

gl.did u dip it in antibiotics cause i hear that gives them a better chance of survival.i have a baby aussie litteraly a baby only the size of a quarter now and i dipped him and he is doing great but it is way to early to tell they give you a fals e sence of health they look great for a month then decline so keep a eye on him

 

[TheHoove]

Here It is at a month. Hoping for the best.

Even survived a major kalk opps and a temporary ph over 9. Lost 2 fish but not corals.

 

[Potsy]

From what I've read, elegance do better on the sand. However, I've never owned one, so I'm no expert.

 

[TheHoove]

Ive read both sides, but this post by Elegance Coral Made me decide to put it in the rocks...
"With all that said, hopefully I can change the minds of some Elegance keepers. While yes, Elegance corals can, and do, survive in rather nutrient rich waters, like silt beds and grass flats, they're still stony corals. They will do much better if they're kept in an environment that's clean, like you would provide for other stony corals. Tucked down in the sand where fish poo, uneaten fish food, dead organisms, and other rotting organic matter accumulates, is probably not the best place for them. I always have kept my elegance in the rocks, and I always will. "

 

[elegance coral]

Looks like your elegance is settling in nicely. The tentacles seem to be straightening, filling out, and lengthening. Looks like life in the rocks suites this fella pretty well. Have you tried feeding it yet?

 

[cichlidconvert]

Looks like its doing great Elegance corals are my absolute favorite corals. Mine has been trouble free for a good 6 months now and has been growing steady. I have mine planted in the sand. But I did have it in the rocks but had it tipped almost vertical and it caused some of the flesh to separate from the the top edge. and the only flat spot was on the sand. That has been a problem because the low flow doesnt get around the elegance so i have cyno in the corner and underneath.When I upgrade the tank in a month or two my plan is to set it in the rocks as the centerpiece. It has almost doubled in size. Its even hosting my picasso clown. They have both settled in quite nicely.

 

[iwishtofish]

I get the impression that elegance corals from Australia are typically pricier. elegance coral, is that typically true? Perhaps a good clue as to the origin?

 

[180+55reef]

great piece

cant see how the heck you got that for $18.99.................wow

 

[TheHoove]

great piece

cant see how the heck you got that for $18.99.................wow

I'm lucky to have several (6-7) LFS and local pet stores that sell fish and corals within 45 miles. I think that helps keep prices low. I can get sps frags all day for $5-10 for more common ones. As well as common zoas. But this one, they told me, just came in a assortment of random corals from the shipper. Its more a small local pet store that has a saltwater section. They new it was an elegance. And it even looked nice in their tank. I still cant believe I got it for under $20.

 

[TheHoove]

Looks like your elegance is settling in nicely. The tentacles seem to be straightening, filling out, and lengthening. Looks like life in the rocks suites this fella pretty well. Have you tried feeding it yet?

Ive fed it a couple times raw clam pieces. It about inhales them. And catches other food when I feed the fish.

 

[VegasUSP]

Very nice piece, good luck with it

 

[TheHoove]

Now at 7 Weeks. Had to move him to another side of the rock, when I cleaned my powerheads he was in to much flow. Hes in a little more light now, was partially shaded before. About 2 days after i moved him, he shrunk up for 2 days, but is back and eating now. How often should I feed him?

 

[elegance coral]

It just keeps getting better IMHO. It looks much more relaxed and filled out in the last pic. It appears to have lost some zooxanthellae, but that's to be expected when adjusting to brighter lights, and nothing I would worry about. I would keep an eye on it late in the photo period. If it starts to close up an hour or more before the lights go out, I'd slightly shade the coral, or reduce the photo period. You can feed it as often as you like. If you fed one mouth today, I'd at least skip a day before feeding that mouth again. Healthy elegance can "survive" for long periods of time without feeding. IMHO, they do much better when fed regularly though. When I have time, I like to feed several times a week.

 

[TheHoove]

It just keeps getting better IMHO. It looks much more relaxed and filled out in the last pic. It appears to have lost some zooxanthellae, but that's to be expected when adjusting to brighter lights, and nothing I would worry about. I would keep an eye on it late in the photo period. If it starts to close up an hour or more before the lights go out, I'd slightly shade the coral, or reduce the photo period. You can feed it as often as you like. If you fed one mouth today, I'd at least skip a day before feeding that mouth again. Healthy elegance can "survive" for long periods of time without feeding. IMHO, they do much better when fed regularly though. When I have time, I like to feed several times a week.

I dont think it lost any zooxanthellae. your just seeing a difference in camera exposure and processing. But it does stay fully inflated right up till the lights go off.

 

[TheHoove]

It just keeps getting better IMHO. It looks much more relaxed and filled out in the last pic. It appears to have lost some zooxanthellae, but that's to be expected when adjusting to brighter lights, and nothing I would worry about. I would keep an eye on it late in the photo period. If it starts to close up an hour or more before the lights go out, I'd slightly shade the coral, or reduce the photo period. You can feed it as often as you like. If you fed one mouth today, I'd at least skip a day before feeding that mouth again. Healthy elegance can "survive" for long periods of time without feeding. IMHO, they do much better when fed regularly though. When I have time, I like to feed several times a week.

 

[Mr_N1ce]

can just agree with everyone else, its a beauty! I'm surprised that you put it on a rock, even though most people say, it is doing best on the sand. Any reason or other experience?

 

[TheHoove]

can just agree with everyone else, its a beauty! I'm surprised that you put it on a rock, even though most people say, it is doing best on the sand. Any reason or other experience?

No experience, just research. A lot said sand, some said rocks. Rocks seem more natural to me and less likely to accumulate crud under the coral. The biggest problem I read with rocks is the risk of the flesh getting torn on the rocks. I put it in a lower flow area of the tank. And on a rock that kinda sticks out from the main rock work, so none of the flesh really touches the rock.

 

[freewest61]

wow beautiful coral

 

[drawman]

Looks like it is doing great. Couldn't agree with elegance coral more, get it on a feeding schedule. Amazing find for under $20!