Porities spp.

[BrianO]

Hi All

Ok Finally Got Around to it !!:wink:

Lets see Loads of Replies !!

**** Coral Of The Week *****

Common Name:"Finger * Coral", "Porities", "Boulder Coral".

Scientific Name :"Porities spp."

Reference/Featured In :
* * * * * * * " The Reef Aq. " Vol.1
* * * * * * * * Page: 449 - 451.

* * * * * * * " Corals A Quick Ref.Guide "
* * * * * * * * Page:

Please post any information/knowledge you have in relation to this Coral and its upkeep.

Topics to cover, in relation to Conditions Favoured in our closed systems, would include:


Information to cover such topics as : * *

Water Temperature, Chemistry, Flow Rates, Lighting Levells, Placement.

Also please comment under the various other headings such as:

Agressiveness, Hardiness, Reproductive Methods, Colour Morphs, Feeding Of, Fragging Of, Diseases Susceptible To, Successfull Shipping & Transportation Of, Other Scientific References, Related Corals, Other Organisms That Form a Symbiotic Relationship With, *Pictures Of. .... And Finally, *Any Other Relevant Info.


Soooo Lets see loads of replies with or without Pics !!!!:biggrin:


http://wsphotofews.excite.com/005/tD/ey/gC/Kw36736.jpg

( Apologies ! On finishing this realised only shot I have of Porities in my tank is an OLD shot showing Porities spp. w/commensal xmas tree worms, in far right of pic. will update over next coupla days :biggrin:)

(Edited by IrishReefer at 7:36 pm on Aug. 29, 2001)

[ziggy]

Hi Bri,

Should this be in members tanks ?

Ziggy

[Doh]

#Moderation Mode

lol - moved to Reefs http://www.ultimatereef.net/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

Moved here (http://www.ultimatereef.com/cgi-bin/ikonboard/topic.cgi?forum=1&topic=815)

[simonh]

http://www.wymag.org.uk/simon/porites.jpg

Location: Bottom of tank under 250W halides
Temperature: 28C
Flow: Medium
Hardiness: Hardy - I do feed with phytoplankton and other foods which may prolong the worms life as they are filter feeding organisms.


(Edited by simonh at 1:15 am on Aug. 30, 2001)

[bosi]

They are very hardy and fast growing corals, expecially the species without worms.
In Kenia, at a location on the coast I go every year, there is a colony of yellow porites that is bigger than a 2 bedroom house! No kidding. It is located 5 meters below the surface (at high tide), is around 4mts high and 15mt long.

Porites are very abundant there and are probably among the fastest and more important reef builder.
During low tide, on the reef, you can see massive portions of live porites out of the water.

To proove they are sturdy anymals:
I have just setup (1 month ago) a 20gal growing tank, with LR. On 3 there are 3 patches of green porites alive and recovering well. Size is that of a 50p coin. LR was in a box marked Fiji Live rock, but LSR claims to be from Mauritius.

A note on the Porites with worms:
The biggest problem I ever had with those is if you get algae (even coralline algae) to grow on the thing (don't know how to call it in english) that the worm uses to block its hole, this would irritate the tissue of the surrounding porites, which would shrink. The worm needs that tissue to rich its cavity,(probably to feed), without it it dies withing 60 days.

Alex

[bosi]

Forgot to mention

Fantastic photos

[bosi]

And again:

what is the best method to frag them? (Expecially the non branching species?)
What I have done in the past is to put a small peace of rock on top of the porites, wait for it to be covered with polips (4 to 6 weeks), and move it to a new location.
Any better method?

Alex

[BrianO]

:lol:

Nice one Ziggy.

Now THATS why I couldnt find it.

Apologies for my complaint Re: " Missing Post " Pete.:wink:



Cheers

Bri.



(Edited by IrishReefer at 5:30 pm on Aug. 30, 2001)

[EnglishReefer]

Hi

I've found this coral sensitive to slime/mucus from soft corals, in my previous setup I had a large sinularia which grew to the point where it was occasionaly touching my (round/non-branching with filter feeding worms) porite colony.
The parts that were in contact rapidly died off:( in my current tank the couple of patches left (approx 1/2") are very slowly growing back but seem to have trouble fighting back the growth of corraline algae.

I have never directly fed the worms in the rock but the last tank was skimmerless, they have grown and increased in numbers since I have had the colony.

The new tank is skimmed but no decrease in the health of the worms has been noticed. I have purchased another colony for the new tank, all seems well so far but I'm not seeing much polyp extension at the moment.


SG 1.025-26
Temp 26-27
Lighting 400w 10k
Flow Medium(ish) pulsed

[Mick]

Love the xmas tree Simonh:biggrin:

[simonh]

Just to add:

Porites seems to get a waxy tunic over it from time to time which can take a few days to peel off (abit like some soft corals do).

[Lisa Page]

Hi All,

My first SPS purchase was Porites cylindrica :biggrin:

It has proven to be a very easy coral to care for. On introduction I noted 3 branches had been broken off exposing the skeleton. These cut ends healed up in a matter of weeks and have now grown into new branches. The coral is yellow in colour and sheds a waxy layer periodically (just the same as leather corals do).

Residing in the branches is a brittlestar. I only see a leg or two every now and again. It never seems to leave the safety of the coral and so I must assume that it is living off the surface of the coral (or catches food as it passes by). I did feed it directly to start with but this is a bit tricky now that the coral has grown (the fish tend to get to the food before I have a chance to give it to the star).

I have sited this coral quite high up in the tank under one of my metal halides. It had very little flow to begin with and seemed very happy. It has lots and lots of flow now as it is directly in the flow of my IKS Turbo pump. To give you an idea how much, it actually got 'blown' over when the pump was first switched on :eyes: and seems equally as happy. It think it is quite an easy coral to please.

http://wsphotofews.excite.com/033/7b/6S/c3/OR19029.jpg

Regards

[bosi]

I have just found out that the worms that grow on porites, can also be found on other species of corals. I have just bought an acropora, with 2 of them on it.

Alex

[EnglishReefer]

Second that, the last acro I brought had one in its base.

[Ken]

edit