Required light/food for Porites?

[J.Howard]

Hello All

I recently aquired this X-mas tree rock. I assume from what I've read that the encrusting coral is Porites. I've searched around and found many differing opinions about light, flow, and feeding requirements. I've read everything from "treat it like a Xenia" to "requires similar conditions as SPS". I placed it in the tank where you see it in the picture, just off the bottom, (about 30in from lights) under NO+VHO+MH light (1200 total watts). In the first few weeks, the color darkened to what you see in the pic. and noticed much better polyp extension (the polyps almost look like fuzz across the surface when open approx. 1-2mm dia.) Just this week the portion that is exposed to the most direct overhead light has started to fade, while the rest looks same. (Polyps still extended) Fearing light overexposure, I moved it to a shady spot (just the faded portion). I have seen no change in condition since the move and the worms seem to be doing fine. Currently target feeding Kent microvert once a week. I've also read about color shifts as they acclimate to light conditions, could this be the case?
-First, Is it even Porites?
-If so, am I treating it right?
-If not...what is it?
I've read that there are several other species of coral X-mas worms are found associated with. I just know that info. is pretty sparse and picture guides I've looked at aren't much help. So I ask you, my fellow reefers...can you shed some light on this for me? Thanks in advance.

BTW - Before the topic gets derailed, I bought it from a reputable LFS that has been in business for over 20 years who claimed it was legally collected from the Indo-Pacific.

 

[Len]

It should be a Porites as that is what these worms live symbiotically with. It kinda looks like Millepora but I'm sure it is a species of Porites. Treat it like a SPS coral, not Xenia. It needs moderate to strong lighting and good (but not violent) current around the colony.

I think you're doing fine with this coral (and the associated worms). I had a xmas tree coral once and it did really well under my halides until a stowaway crab (probably Mithrax sp.) decided to consume the Porite polyps :? The worms died not too long after.

 

[J.Howard]

Thanks Len, do you think I should move it up a little higher? That would put it in more flow and light. Sorry to hear about yours. I just hope to give it the best treatment possible and have it be a success. In my research I read all too often about failures associated with these guys.

 

[tangir1]

It is Porites sp. Most of the Xmas tree worms come in with dead Porites due to mishandling (the selling point is the worm, not the coral ), and it is a shame.

Anyway, Porites is relatively easy to take care of, IME. It will change color between green to dark brown depends on the lighting setup. They prefers bright light, and moderate water flow for the worm. I do not do any target feeding on the worms, and they do well in my setup for years.

They are hardly coral because I has part of the colony die due to macroalgae smothering, but once removed, and condition improved, they will grow over the dead area at "green star polyp"-rate. However, the diameter of the rock will not have any decernable grow due to the encrusting nature of the coral. In my specimens, I think it increase by less than 1/4 inch in diameter in past 3 or 4 years.

 

[Len]

I'm not sure how much flow yours is currently getting, but I wouldn't put it in a shady spot. Perhaps some place in between the current spot and the old spot is good.

 

[J.Howard]

Thanks Len and Tangirl! I have just the spot for it when I get home. I was target feeding to make sure they got what they need, but the new spot will allow the food to come in with the flow. I guess I overreacted putting it in the shade, but until I could be more sure of the ID I didnt want to chance it. Luckily, I don't have many corals in the tank yet, so I can try a wide variety of places until its happy. It's like any coral I guess...trial and error till it thrives. Whatever the case, it's gonna get more flow as my main system pump died this weekend so I upgraded from an 800GPH to a 1190 and have noticed everything is looking happier. That was after the fading began BTW.

 

[danimal]

I posted a question yesterday about algae that has settled in on one arm of my porites. It was suggested that I try and suck the algae off and give the porites a 7 minute dip in lugals soluton. There are two worms located on a different arm. Is this the right way to go to try and rid the piece of the algae? Will the lugals solution hurt the worms?

 

[tangir1]

I am not a big fan of lugals. If you do it careful enough, there is no need for the iodine dip. In fact, the stress of dipping maybe more harmful than some minor abrasion.

As I say, Porites is hardy coral, and if it is in good, healthy environment like yours, there is no concern for minor scratch or abrasion. But still, try to be careful when you remove the algae. HTH.