Purchase Plate Coral

[Coupe_Girl]

I have a LARGE plate coral in my tank, it has died and I would like to get another one. Can someone help me an tell me where i can buy one from it was 10" round i would guess - thanks C

[Paul]

Any idea why it died?

[Coupe_Girl]

I got the plate from a woman when I purchased corals and fish as she was closing her tank down, I think it was dead when I got it from her, but I didnt really know much about marine keeping at the time, even if it was alive my tank has had so many problems as it was new. ph crashes, hair alge, high nitrates, and even the wrong lighting. Which I have been making right. My set up is now a year old and I think its ok to add a new one. - C

[instantsquid]

If it was dead when you bought it, I'm sure you would have known! It would simply have been a disk of coral skeleton!

Do you know if it was a Fungia or Heliofungia? My personal experience is that the former is relatively hardy, and will even recover from minor damage, poor water, etc. The latter is a much more sensitive coral and demands a lot more care. Both corals are readily available in the trade so I would not have thought your LFS would have any trouble obtaining them. I'd recommend trying a Fungia first though.

- Ian

[Will]

i agree with insantsquid imo stay away from helliofungias unless your very good at handling corals, and know the shop where you got them are as well

any damage to the skeleton will cause the coral to die over time, real shame lovely coral imo

[ricordea]

Coupe girl, I know of a place in London that has Fungia and Heliofungia in stock at the moment some are about 6in across and for this size are £35.

I would agree with Ian, (Iinstansquid) and jimmyjayz that thehelliofungias are more difficult to keep.

If you are interested pm me and I will let you have the details or where to buy. I will not post here though as they are not a sponsor.

Best Regards


Nigel

[Coupe_Girl]

I am such a plonker and gave you the wrong name, hubbie just corrected me it was a plating montipora like this one.
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j128/bradden1/dscf0005.jpg

[Coupe_Girl]

I just looked on the net at Heliofungia? how can you see the diffrence to that and Euphyllia. I have some Euphyllia and I also have a fungia that is pink. I feed it at night, can anyone give some suggestions for help with feeding.

[instantsquid]

The skeletons of Helionfungia and Euphyllia are very different. The Heliofungia is a plate coral, much like a Fungia. The Euphyllia is a branching coral, usually with a number of heads. If you see them when they are not expanded, the difference is obvious.

Personally I don't feed any of my corals directly. Both of the corals you mention contain zooxanthellae and so will get nutrients by being under appropriate lighting. In addition, I find that these corals will take particles of food, and small critters, etc. out of the water without me having to target feed them.

Bottom line - if they're growing and look healthy, don't interfere! :)

- Ian