Tongue Coral (LPS) (Herpolitha limax)

Tongue Coral (LPS) Herpolitha limax
Name	Tongue Coral (LPS)
Name Lat.	Herpolitha limax
Family	Mushroom Corals
Family lat.	Fungiidae
Order	Stony Corals
Order lat.	Scleractinia
Origin	Indo-Pacific
Diet	Autotrophic, planktivore
pH	8.1-8.4
Hardness	8-12 °KH
Lighting	Medium
Current	Moderate
Behavior	Peaceful
Keeping	Solitary
Care Level	Moderate
Life Span	N/A
Protection	CITES Appendix II; EC Annex B
Metric Units
Size	< 20 cm
Temperature	23-27 °C
Salinity	33-36 ‰
Aquarium	200 l
US Units
Size	< 7.9"
Temperature	73-81 °F
Salinity	1.020-1.025 sg
Aquarium	50 gal

Distribution and habitat

Herpolitha limax belongs to the group of LPS (Large Polyp Scleractinia). They are widely distributed in the Red Sea, tropical Indian and Pacific Oceans, from the east coast of Africa to Fiji. This non-reef-building, free-living coral occurs on inner reefs, shallow slopes, and in lagoons on rubble and sand flats at depths of 1-30 m. It can have different colorations depending on light intensity, trace elements and nutrients.

Maintenance

They should be positioned on the bottom in a sandy place with medium light intensity and moderate flow. As a substrate, only lime-rich, heavy metal-free substrates should be used. The aquarium should not lack live stones, which act as a biological filter. To ensure water quality, filters, skimmers and heaters are necessary, as well as pumps to simulate tides, swells and bottom currents. Lighting must correspond to the species-appropriate day-night rhythm of the animals

Salinity: 33-36 ‰	pH value: 8.1-8.4
Carbonate hardness: 8-12 °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, magnesium 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

Zooxanthellae, which are unicellular symbiotic algae, live in their tissue and provide them with assimilation products of their photosynthesis (light requirement). The zooxanthellae promote growth and provide additional food to the plankton and small particles that are collected in large quantities from the water current. Thus, in addition to the food produced in the aquarium during fish feeding (mysis, krill, Artemia, etc.), commercially available supplementary food in the form of phyto- and zooplankton should be offered regularly. Regular and varied feeding promotes health and prevents deficiency symptoms.

Behaviour and compatibility

They should not be kept with fish that regard their polyps as food (e.g. emperor or butterfly fish). They are well tolerated with other corals, but sufficient distance must be kept from cnidarians.

Reproduction and breeding

In nature, reproduction is sexual via marine larval stages.

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

The coral consists of a colony of several polyps, which occur elongated to tongue-shaped with a central longitudinal furrow. However, there are also colonies that develop in a Y-, T-, or X-shape. Touching can lead to tissue damage and death of the coral, so great care is needed during transport and insertion. The additional illumination with actinic light (short-wave, violet-blue light) is very beneficial for their growth (zooxanthellae).

A calcium reactor and a magnesium dosing pump are recommended for the necessary uniform supply of calcium carbonate and magnesium. Too high temperature, insufficient lighting or current as well as sudden change of water values can lead to tissue decay (RTN - rapid tissue necrosis). They are very sensitive and can be easily injured during handling. Newly introduced animals must be acclimated slowly to the water in the aquarium

If different species are kept together, make sure that fish and invertebrates match each other in terms of water quality and temperature requirements, as well as their social behavior, and that the setup meets the ecological needs of all species kept together

Further literature can be found in your pet store.

References

Text: petdata; Image: Helmut Kreutmayer

Source: ENGELMANN & LANGE (2011): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Wirbellose, Verlag Harri Deutsch; VERON (2000): Corals of the world, Australian Institute of Marine Science