Orange-Cup Coral (LPS) (Tubastraea coccinea)
| Orange-Cup Coral (LPS) Tubastraea coccinea | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Orange-Cup Coral (LPS) |
| Name Lat. | Tubastraea coccinea |
| Synonym | Tubastrea aurea |
| Family | Branched Corals |
| Family lat. | Dendrophylliidae |
| Order | Stony Corals |
| Order lat. | Scleractinia |
| Origin | Indo-Pacific, Red Sea |
| Diet | Planktivore |
| pH | 8.1-8.4 |
| Hardness | 8-10 °KH |
| Lighting | Low |
| Current | Moderate-strong |
| Behavior | Peaceful |
| Keeping | Colony |
| Care Level | Difficult |
| Life Span | N/A |
| Protection | CITES Appendix II; EC Annex B |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 2 cm |
| Temperature | 23-28 °C |
| Salinity | 33-36 ‰ |
| Aquarium | 200 l |
| US Units | |
| Size | 0.8" |
| Temperature | 73-82 °F |
| Salinity | 1.020-1.025 sg |
| Aquarium | 50 gal |
Distribution and habitat
Tubastraea coccinea belong to the group of LPS (Large Polyp Scleractinia). These non-reef-building corals (ahermatypic) are widely distributed in the tropical Indian and Pacific Oceans and the Red Sea. They live at entrances to caves and shaded reef slopes with nutrient-rich water down to 1,500 m depth.
Maintenance
They should be positioned in a vertical, shaded and strong flow of the decoration. The arrangement of the aquarium should have live stones that act as a biological filter
Only substrates rich in lime and free of heavy metals should be used as substrate. Filters, skimmers and heaters are necessary to ensure water quality, as well as pumps to simulate tides, swells and bottom currents. Lighting must match the species-appropriate day-night rhythm of the animals
| Salinity: 33-36 ‰ | pH value: 8.1-8.4 |
| Carbonate hardness: 8-10 °KH | Nitrate content: 2-8 mg/l |
| calcium content: 420-450 mg/l | Nitrite content: 0.0-0.05 mg/l |
| Magnesium content: 1.250-1.350 mg/l | phosphate content: 0.01-0.1 mg/l |
Regular addition of trace elements, especially calcium and strontium, is recommended. For salinity, an average value should be aimed for, which may only vary slightly by +/- 0.5 ‰. Ammonia and ammonium must not be measurable. Special attention shall be paid to consistently good water quality and water values.
Diet
No zooxanthellae (azooxanthellate) live in their tissue. Therefore, in addition to the food produced in the aquarium during fish feeding (mysis, krill, Artemia, floating shrimp, etc.), they are regularly dependent on supplementary food, such as Artemia nauplii enriched with vitamins and commercially available phyto- and zooplankton
Regular and varied feeding promotes health and prevents deficiency symptoms.
Behaviour and compatibility
They live in small colonies and should not be kept with fish that regard their polyps as food (e.g. angelfish or butterflyfish). They are well tolerated with other corals, but sufficient distance from cnidarians must be maintained. Their tentacles are sensitive to touch.
Reproduction and breeding
The reproduction takes place via the formation of daughter colonies (breeders). In the aquarium, reproduction by fragmentation has occasionally already succeeded.
Species protection
Species protection: WA Appendix II; EU Appendix B. The proof of purchase is the required proof of origin for the animal. Please keep it safe! Your pet store will be happy to provide you with further information.
Important
They belong to the group of azooxanthellate corals and can therefore colonize biotopes without sunlight. They should be anchored upside down in the reef, because sediment deposits can kill the corallites.
For the necessary even supply of calcium carbonate and magnesium, a calcium reactor and a magnesium dosing pump are recommended
If different species are kept together, care should be taken to ensure that fish and invertebrates match each other in terms of water quality and temperature requirements and social behavior, and that the setup meets the ecological needs of all species kept together. Newly introduced animals must be acclimated slowly to the water in the aquarium
Further literature can be found in your pet store.
References
Text: Werner Winter; Image: petdata
Source: FOSSÁ & NILSEN (1995): Korallenriff-Aquarium Bd. 4, Birgit Schmettkamp Verlag; ENGELMANN & LANGE (2011): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Wirbellose, Verlag Harri Deutsch