Stereanephthya keepers out there?

The environment I provide doesn't equip this kind of coral.. In other words, I can't feed it...
NPS is kind of a different world. GL.
 
It took me years to track one down. Finally managed to get one and it's not happy. My understanding is that it likes around 100 PAR and mod flow and eats phytoplankton. I can't find more detailed care than that. No one seems to even know what sized phytoplankton. I contacted the store that sold it, asking them for care details, since they sold it as aquacultured, but they never responded. Frustrating.

Was really hoping some people here had experiences to share. It would help to know more details.

Dan, they have them at LA, but not often.
 
Last edited:
What are the distinguishing factors between this and dendronepthea? This looks like a carnation coral... any nepthea for that matter?
 
The biggest distinguishing factor is the Stereo is partly photosynthetic and a Dendro is not. They sure look alike though. The one I bought is a bright red-orange.
 
I've ordered two types of live phytoplankton. I'm setting up phytoplankton growing stations to hopefully keep the cultures growing. Maybe it won't matter, but I have to try.
 
how ven something be partly photosynthetic? It either contains symbiotic algae or it doesn't... that isn't exactly a distinguishing factor as I can't see that type of algae with the naked eye. I have photosynthetic gorgonians and non... only difference I see is vibrant colors in the non...however I see plenty off carnation corals that are extremely vibrant in color and judging by the pics I have googled dendro and this stereo look exactly the same...
 
By partly photosynthetic I meant that the coral doesn't depend completely on phytoplankton. The coral can manufacture some of its food by photosynthesis.

The phytoplankton arrived today, so got my stations set up.

Nanoreef, I will look up the difference between Dendros and Stereos.
 
Ok Nanoreefwanabe, got the info you asked about. Info is from the book Corals by Eric Borneman.

Dendro and Stereo are both in the family Nephtheidae. In this family only 7 genera are found in the aquarium trade: Dendro and Stereo, plus Capnella; Lemnalia; Litophyton; Scleronephthya and Nephthea. The differences between Dendro and Stereo ( besides ease of care in the tank) are in the sclerites. In Dendos the sclerites are " particularly needlike like and quite long" and also often brightly colored. Apparently this helps the coral with gas exchange. Stereos ( and Scleronephthyas which I am wondering if maybe that's what I have) have " sclerites similar to Nephthea. " stereos are also described as " mostly unbranching colonies with polyp bearing branched growing directly off the main stalk. " Book also says " supporting sclerites are promenant sometimes making the coral appear more spikes than Dendronephthya."
 
What a burn. Darned it! I think I was fooled. I bought what was described as an aquacultured Stereonephthya. However I saw a picture of a coral on DD that looks exactly like what I have and they say it's an Umbellulifera which is in the same family but is NPS. That picture looks exactly like my coral. What a disappointment. It makes sense though. If Stereonephthya were as easy to keep as people say they are and as beautiful as this coral is, then everyone would have one.
 
Guess I wasn't supposed to attach a link. Sorry guys. You can google 'care of Stereonephthya' though and that article should come up.

While googling for care, I saw a couple of old threads come up from Reef Central. One guy even said he would keep updating about his experiences with this coral since there is so little info out there. But he never did. That was years ago too. Disappointing.

So although not many are interested, I'm going to update about the coral. The color is still good. It inflates and deflates at random times. When I see it inflated, I use a turkey Baster to attempt to target feed it. I am trying mainly dried phytoplankton but other times I use live phytoplankton and sometimes Goniopowder. The coral has started to grow what looks like another trunk and has a new branch also, so I'm not giving up hope.
 
Another update. The place I bought the coral from got back to me. They said it's definitely Stereonephthya and that a local hobbiest grows it and sells it to them. He's been growing it for years! If this coral will grow for me, I'll give pieces away for free. As long as people drive to Seattle to pick them up!
 
Last edited:
Update. Looking poor. Color faded. The new growth that looked like a new trunk has sunken back into the body.

Dan I will get a picture next time it's open, and post with what it originally looked like.
 
here is the picture of the coral from the website. It arrived looking just like the photo
 

Attachments

  • stereonephthya.jpg
    stereonephthya.jpg
    58.9 KB · Views: 1
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

S
Triton core 7 be
Replies
6
Views
196
Scotty333!!!
S
Adam6495
Res sea reefer G2 90gal deluxe
Replies
2
Views
109
Reefing102
Reefing102
StickMaster18
3 Gem Tangs
Replies
9
Views
218
OrionN
OrionN
T
Golden Dwarf Moray Eel
Replies
2
Views
150
Tyem
T
Markarian421
Parting out our 120 gallon tank -- Fremont
Replies
5
Views
213
Markarian421
Markarian421
Back
Top