Tubestrea Sun Polyp

[Biggie]

Anyone familiar with this species and its care? Looks like a very nice piece but I dont want to baby sit eithier. SOme input would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[keckles]

It is azooxanthellate (nonphotosynthetic) and must be fed to maintain health. Feedings will need to include small, meaty items such as mysis shrimp, minced krill, or Cyclop-Eeze.

I would definitely consider it a "baby sitter" piece.

 

[sufunk]

DEFINITELY a baby sitter piece. I spend almost as much time on it as the rest of my tank combined.
That being said, to me, it is well worth it. It's definitely the best looking coral in the tank and gets nothing but ooooh's and aaaaaaah's from visitors.

 

[Biggie]

Ok I got cyclop-eez in the fridge and some Dt's and some liquid life Pyto. to feed it. Is it true its only comes out at night or in the dark? Or will it show itself in MH? I run a BB tank as well any troubles there? How much do you feed it? Feed in the lights or in the dark? when you say you spend alot of time with it what are you referring too? Feedings?

 

[keckles]

It will naturally come out at night because of the nocturnal activities of the microfauna that it feeds on. But, it an aquarium it will extend when a food source is present. You can make it extend more often with more feedings (during the day). I had a Tubastrea that was extended 24/7 because I fed it every night. ( This was a BB tank) You will just have to monitor your waste levels and keep up on water changes.

A small covering of food will be fine. You do not have to drown each polyp.

You can feed either in light or dark. It will naturally come out when the lights are off, but will also come out if you offer it food during the day. I have found that the best thing to do is offer a very small amount of food to entice it to come out. Once it is extended you can offer a larger amount to actually feed it.

I assume the time that sufunk is referring to involves feedings and maintenance to clean up all the food waste.

 

[sufunk]

The time i was referring to is feeding. I have a way too complicated feeding routine but i have a very nice piece that I baby and the system has worked great for me. I used to feed every day but it became too much of a hassle and have gone to every other day. Takes me about an hour to prepare ots food and feed. You can do it in way less time but like i said I baby it. I feed 1/8 teaspoon of frozen cyclo thawed in 5 ml's of tankwater, 3drops of selcon and 2 drops of zoecon and let it soak for 20 minutes. Every 3rd feeding its a cube of frozen krill and a cube of frozen mysis mashed thru an egg strainer to get it fine enough to fit in my syringe and again soak in selcon and zoecon.
It can certainly be trained with food to open. I have moved my schedule up gradually and now it is fully open from 6p.m. to 7a.m.
Doesnt need dark, mine is out in the open and feeds under the lights.

 

[Biggie]

Good info thanks to all.