What is the difference between a sun coral and a dendro?
"Sun Coral" is a common name for Species from the Genus Tubastrea. "Dendro" is a common name for Species from the Genus Dendrophyllia. Both Genuses belong to the family Dendrophyllidae.
Generaly speaking Tubastrea sp. are in the distribution chain (collector to exporter to importer to wholesaler to LFS to you) much, much longer than Dendrophyllia sp. making them weaker upon receipt due to the fact that no one feeds them along the way... until we get them. Tubastrea sp. also seem to require more consistant feedings IME. In short, "sun coral" will require a little more TLC when it gets into your hands compared to "dendros".
Physicaly speaking, as mentioned above, Dendrophyllia typically has larger oral discs (polyps) than Tubastrea, but both can vary greatly in color (pink, orange, yellow, black, red, clear) and growth patterns (branching, balling, etc.).
Originally Posted by thefishgirl
I recently acquired 3 heads of "sun coral" in a trade. He told me to put it in a cave, light current and to hand feed it.
The notion that they must be kept in the shade is a misnomer... it's true that some non-photosynthetic coral are light sensitive but Tubastrea and Dendrophyllia sp. are not. In nature these corals rely on zoaplankton, which comes out of the rocks and crevices at night, which is why they "train" themselves to open at night... once they sense the food, it's time to feast Most stony corals outcompete "Sun Coral" and "Dendros" for space on the reef as they grow much faster than their non-photosynthetic counterparts leading the non-photos to dwell and grow deeper and in shaded areas where other coral cannot survive. I've personally seen Tubastrea faulkneri in ten feet of water in full sunlight with polyps wide open while diving in Mexico.
Originally Posted by thefishgirl
Do I need to add some sand to the pot to make them even happier?
No, they really don't need to be in a pot either, but it won't matter one way or the other less aesthetics.
FWIW, my colonies of Tubastrea faulkneri stay open 24/7. Per your picture it appears you have several polyps of Tubastrea coccinea. Keep feeding the heck out of them, and they'll eventually regrow over that skeleton (you can see the whole thing was polyps at one point). If you can get the polyps open, feed the heck outta them with meaty foods, if not, try the "tupperware method": http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...=&pagenumber=2 works like a champ!
Last edited by stunreefer; 09-23-2009 at 02:07 PM.
If nothing else, the flower pot makes it easier to keep the shrimp out when it's feeding time. They love a lil squirt with the turkey baster... or not. :D
Originally Posted by thefishgirl
Most stony corals outcompete "Sun Coral" and "Dendros" for space on the reef as they grow much faster than their non-photosynthetic counterparts leading the non-photos to dwell and grow deeper and in shaded areas where other coral cannot survive. I've personally seen Tubastrea faulkneri in ten feet of water in full sunlight with polyps wide open while diving in Mexico.
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