Turbinaria is a genus encompassing both brown algae and stony corals, each with distinct characteristics. Brown algae (like Turbinaria ornata) are marine organisms with an upright, tough thallus resembling a pinecone. They are often found in tropical waters, attached to rocks or coral heads, and can be invasive in some areas. Stony corals (like Turbinaria peltata) form colonies with corallites, which are the skeletal structures where polyps reside. They can be disc-shaped, vase-shaped, or plate-like, and are commonly found in reef environments.
Brown Algae (Turbinaria):
Appearance: Erect, radially branched, with blades or "laterals" that can be turbinate or peltate. The overall structure resembles a long pinecone.
Habitat: Primarily found in tropical marine environments, especially coral reefs.
Growth: Can be invasive in some areas, colonizing reefs and outcompeting other species.
Examples: Turbinaria ornata (Crowded or Crowned Sea Bells)
Stony Corals (Turbinaria):
Appearance: Colonial, with corallites (skeletal structures) arranged in various forms like discs, vases, or plates.
Habitat: Coral reefs in various depths and water conditions.
Growth: Can form large colonies, sometimes dominating reef ecosystems.
Examples: Turbinaria peltata (Disc Coral), Turbinaria mesenterina
Key Differences:
Structure:
Brown algae have a thallus (non-animal tissue) with blades, while stony corals have a skeletal structure with corallites.
Growth:
Brown algae can fragment and reproduce vegetatively, while stony corals reproduce sexually.
Invasiveness:
Some brown algae species are considered invasive, while stony corals are generally not considered invasive.
Price per 5 polyps
Micromussa are a type of large-polyp stony coral (LPS) known for their vibrant colors and relatively easy care in reef aquariums. While often referred to as Acanthastrea (or "Acans"), Micromussa were reclassified in 2016. They are popular choices for reef aquariums due to their low-light tolerance and willingness to take frozen and pellet foods.
Key features of Micromussa:
Polyp Size:
The two most common species, Micromussa lordhowensis (lords) and Micromussa amakusensis (micros), have different polyp sizes, with lords having larger polyps.
Colony Structure:
Micromussa colonies can be low-growing clumps or more extensive depending on the species.
Color:
Micromussa exhibit a variety of colors, including reds, yellows, greens, and blues, often with striking rings.
Care:
Micromussa thrive in low-to-moderate light conditions and prefer low to moderate water flow. They are known to extend their tentacles, indicating a desire to feed.
Distribution:
Micromussa are found in the Indo-Pacific region, including the Great Barrier Reef, Fiji, Tonga, and the Solomon Islands.
price per one polyp
Blastomussa are a genus of large polyp stony corals, also known as "pineapple corals," "swollen brain corals," or "mushroom corals". They are characterized by their fleshy, often brightly colored polyps and rounded, swollen structures. Blastomussa are relatively easy to care for and can be a stunning addition to a reef aquarium.
Here's a more detailed description:
Appearance and Structure:
Polyp Type:
Large polyp stony corals (LPS).
Colonies:
Form colonies with a small number of corallites, each with its own fleshy polyp.
Color:
Brightly colored, with common colors including red, green, blue, brown, and combinations of these.
Skeletal Structure:
The skeleton is generally compact and rounded, resembling a swollen or mushroom-like shape.
Growth:
They tend to grow in a phaceloid (branched) or subplocoid (slightly branched) manner.
Habitat and Distribution:
Location: Found in reef environments, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region.
Depth: Can be found on lower reef slopes and in turbid environments.
Care Requirements:
Lighting: Generally prefer low to moderate light levels.
Water Flow: Moderate water movement is recommended, but they can tolerate low flow.
Feeding: Blastomussa are primarily symbiotic with zooxanthellae, obtaining a significant portion of their nutrition through photosynthesis. They will also feed on microplankton, brine shrimp, and krill.
Water Parameters: Maintaining stable water quality is essential, including regular water changes.
Species within the Genus:
Blastomussa wellsi:
A species with smaller corallites and fewer septa, often found in the Indo-Pacific.
Blastomussa merleti:
A species sometimes referred to as "pineapple coral," found in the west and central Indo-Pacific.
Other species:
Blastomussa vivida, Blastomussa omanensis, and Blastomussa loyae are also recognized within the genus.
Caring for Blastomussa in a Reef Aquarium:
Water Quality: Monitor water parameters regularly and perform regular water changes.
Lighting: Provide appropriate lighting levels based on the species and specific needs.
Feeding: Offer occasional feedings of appropriate foods, such as krill or mysis shrimp.
Pruning and Fragging: Prune or frag as needed to control growth and prevent overcrowding.
Pest Control: Monitor for potential pests and predators, such as coral-eating snails and nudibranchs.
Tank Mates: Blastomussa are generally considered peaceful corals and can be housed with other non-aggressive corals.
Australomussa sp. purple-green velvet L - 250 lv
Australomussa sp. purple-green velvet XL - 300 lv
Australomussa, scientifically named Parascolymia rowleyensis, is a type of large polyp stony coral (LPS) found in the Indo-Pacific region, particularly in Australia and Southeast Asia. These corals form flattened, dome-shaped colonies, with corallites characterized by shallow valleys and distinct color and texture differences between the septa and costae. They are known for their vibrant colors, which can range from blue-grey to bright reds, yellows, and greens.
Detailed Description:
Colony Structure:
Australomussa corals grow into large, dome-shaped or helmet-shaped colonies, sometimes reaching several meters in size.
Corallites:
The corallites, which are the individual polyps, are subcerioid, meaning they have short, shallow valleys that are separated by thick walls.
Tissue Color:
The tissue over the septa (the radial plates within the corallites) is often a different color and/or texture compared to the tissue over the costae (the outer walls of the corallites).
Habitat:
These corals are typically found in lower reef slopes, where they are protected from strong wave action.
Color:
In north-west Australia, colonies often exhibit a uniform blue-grey color, while valleys may have concentric cream and green hues. In Southeast Asia, a wider range of colors, including bright red, yellow, and green, are commonly observed.
Similar Species:
The corallite details of Parascolymia rowleyensis are similar to those of Parascolymia vitiensis, another large polyp stony coral.
Abundance:
While they can be locally common in certain areas, Australomussa corals are not typically abundant.
Price per branching frag
Cladiella are a genus of soft coral belonging to the family Alcyoniidae. They are known for their distinctive finger-like projections, which can be round or cone-shaped, extending from a short stalk. These projections branch in various directions and have polyps extending from their tips. Cladiella are hardy, fast-growing corals that can grow up to 41 cm in height. They are often pale in color, with contrasting brown or greenish-brown polyps. They are also known to be slimy to the touch due to the production of mucus.
Here's a more detailed description:
Appearance:
Cladiella have a leathery, smooth base tissue, which can be pale or white, often with an orangey-pink central column. The finger-like projections are the most noticeable feature, with polyps extending from their tips.
Color:
The base tissue is typically pale or white, while the polyps can be brown or greenish due to the presence of zooxanthellae (symbiotic algae). Some species, like Cladiella australis, are known to appear brown with extended polyps but turn white when the polyps retract.
Growth:
Cladiella are relatively fast-growing corals, with some species reaching up to 41 cm in height.
Habitat:
Cladiella are commonly found in the Indo-Pacific region.
Care:
Cladiella are relatively easy to keep in a reef aquarium and are often recommended for beginners. They prefer a moderate to strong current and are adaptable to varying water parameters.
Other notable features:
They are known for their hardiness and can be found in a variety of colors, including pink, red, and purple.
Price per branching frag
Cladiella are a genus of soft coral belonging to the family Alcyoniidae. They are known for their distinctive finger-like projections, which can be round or cone-shaped, extending from a short stalk. These projections branch in various directions and have polyps extending from their tips. Cladiella are hardy, fast-growing corals that can grow up to 41 cm in height. They are often pale in color, with contrasting brown or greenish-brown polyps. They are also known to be slimy to the touch due to the production of mucus.
Here's a more detailed description:
Appearance:
Cladiella have a leathery, smooth base tissue, which can be pale or white, often with an orangey-pink central column. The finger-like projections are the most noticeable feature, with polyps extending from their tips.
Color:
The base tissue is typically pale or white, while the polyps can be brown or greenish due to the presence of zooxanthellae (symbiotic algae). Some species, like Cladiella australis, are known to appear brown with extended polyps but turn white when the polyps retract.
Growth:
Cladiella are relatively fast-growing corals, with some species reaching up to 41 cm in height.
Habitat:
Cladiella are commonly found in the Indo-Pacific region.
Care:
Cladiella are relatively easy to keep in a reef aquarium and are often recommended for beginners. They prefer a moderate to strong current and are adaptable to varying water parameters.
Other notable features:
They are known for their hardiness and can be found in a variety of colors, including pink, red, and purple.
Price pre polyp
Discosoma sp. ferugata refers to a specific variety of mushroom coral with a vibrant green color, often described as a "metallic" or "fluorescent" green. They are known for their mushroom-like appearance and relatively low care requirements, making them a popular choice for reef aquariums.
Here's a more detailed description:
Appearance:
Discosoma sp. Electric Green are known for their distinctive green color, often described as a vibrant or metallic hue. They have a disc-shaped appearance and can grow to be quite large, up to 4 inches in diameter, .
Care:
They are generally easy to care for, preferring low to moderate lighting and water flow. They are also relatively tolerant of different water parameters.
Habitat:
Discosoma sp. are naturally found in warm waters throughout the Indo-Pacific, Caribbean, and tropical West Atlantic. They can be found in a variety of reef habitats, including intertidal zones and sheltered reefs.
Feeding:
They primarily feed on the products of their symbiotic zooxanthellae, but can also supplement their diet with dissolved organic matter and particulate matter from the water column. Some may also eat small fish or food particles.
Other notes:
Discosoma sp. are a part of the Corallimorpharia order, which is also related to sea anemones.They are often referred to as "mushroom corals" due to their shape.
price per polyp
Rhodactis, commonly known as mushroom corals, are a type of corallimorph that are easily recognizable by their large, individual polyps that resemble mushrooms. They are related to stony corals but do not form a stony skeleton. Rhodactis are popular in reef aquariums for their easy care and adaptable nature.
Key Characteristics of Rhodactis:
Appearance:
They are soft, fleshy, and have a jelly-like texture. Their individual polyps can be quite large, often reaching 1-18 inches in size.
Color and Texture:
They come in a wide variety of colors, including green, brown, tan, pink, and purple, and can have different textures, some even resembling hairy mushrooms.
Habitat:
They are found in the Indo-Pacific region, including Fiji, Tonga, Solomon Islands, and the Great Barrier Reef.
Care:
Rhodactis are known for being easy to care for and can thrive in a variety of aquarium environments.
Feeding:
They are photosynthetic and can also feed on particulate matter and small invertebrates.
Lighting:
Rhodactis generally prefer low to moderate lighting, ideally in the range of 75-150 PAR.
Flow:
They prefer low to moderate water flow.
Rhodactis in Reef Aquariums:
Rhodactis mushrooms are a popular choice for both beginner and experienced aquarists.
They can be placed in a variety of reef tank environments, making them a versatile choice.
They can be propagated (fragged) by experienced hobbyists.
Some species, like the Elephant Ear variety, can even be aggressive feeders and may consume smaller fish.
Stylophora pistillata, commonly called smooth cauliflower coral or hood coral, is a species of stony coral in the Indo-Pacific region. It has a branching growth form, with blunt-ended branches that thicken and become more massive as the colony matures. Corallites (the individual polyps' stony cups) are conical or hooded and partially submerged in the coenosteum (the stony framework of the colony). These corallites have a prominent, solid columella (the central column) and may have six primary and sometimes six secondary septa (stony plates forming the corallite wall). The coenosteum is covered in fine spinules. Colonies can be cream, pink, bluish, or green.
Key features of Stylophora pistillata:
Growth Form: Branching, with branches becoming thick and submassive.
Corallites: Conical or hooded, with a prominent columella and septa.
Colony Size: Up to 50 cm in diameter.
Color: Cream, pink, bluish, or green.
Habitat: Shallow water reef environments exposed to strong wave action.
Distribution: Indo-Pacific region
Green Star Polyps (GSPs), also known as Pachyclavularia violacea or Briareum, are a popular soft coral known for their vibrant green or yellowish-green tentacles and a purple or blue base. They form a mat-like colony and are generally considered easy to care for. GSPs are popular with reef aquarium enthusiasts.
Here's a more detailed description:
Appearance:
GSPs have multiple polyps attached to a rubbery, purplish-red mat. Each polyp has eight thin, smooth tentacles that can range in color from pale to fluorescent green. They often have a contrasting color (like white or yellow) at the center of the polyp.
Size:
While they can reach a colony size of up to one foot in diameter, the individual polyps are typically less than 0.5 inches across.
Behavior:
GSPs are generally open during the day and may retract their tentacles at night or when disturbed.
Habitat:
They are found in shallow to moderate depths along reef edges in the Indo-Pacific Ocean.
Diet:
GSPs are filter feeders, absorbing organic matter from the water column and also hosting zooxanthellae, which provide them with nutrients through photosynthesis.
Reproduction:
They can reproduce by forming new polyps at the edge of the mat or by brood larvae
Pulsing Xenia (Heteroxenia fuscescens) is a soft coral known for its rhythmic, pulsing movement and feathery polyps. It has long, sturdy stalks adorned with feathery tentacles that pulse, opening and closing in a "pumping" fashion, adding movement to the reef tank. Pulsing Xenia is a fast grower and a popular choice for reef tanks, both for beginners and experienced hobbyists.
Here's a more detailed description:
Appearance:
Stalks:
Pulsing Xenia features long, sturdy stalks.
Polyps:
The stalks are topped with feathery polyps (tentacles) that pulse in a rhythmic, opening and closing motion.
Colors:
Pulsing Xenia can come in a variety of colors, including lavender, cream, pink, and purple.
Growth:
It's known for its rapid growth rate, which can quickly cover rock surfaces.
Movement:
Pulsing:
The most distinctive feature of Pulsing Xenia is its rhythmic pulsing movement of the polyps, which can reach up to 40 pulses per minute.
Water Movement:
The pulsing action helps to create water movement around the coral, aiding in nutrient exchange.
Other Notable Features:
Fast Growth:
Pulsing Xenia is a fast-growing coral, making it a good choice for beginners who are looking for a coral that will quickly fill up the tank.
Easy Care:
It's relatively easy to care for, thriving in a variety of reef tank conditions.
Photosynthesis:
Pulsing Xenia is a photosynthetic coral, meaning it can produce its own food through sunlight, but it also absorbs nutrients from the water.
Propogation:
It can be easily propagated in captivity
Anthelia coral, also known as Waving Hand or Glove Coral, is a soft coral genus characterized by long, thin, and often purple or bluish polyps that wave gracefully in the current. These corals form a creeping mat, with their polyps extending from the base. They are known for their light appearance and constant movement, resembling an underwater field of seagrass.
Here's a more detailed description:
Appearance: Anthelia corals have a distinctive appearance with long, thin polyps that resemble gloves or waving hands. They often have a creeping mat base, with the polyps extending upwards.
Color: They can come in various colors, including pink, blue, brown, or tan.
Movement: The polyps of Anthelia corals wave in the water current, giving them their common name "Waving Hand Coral". They are not known for the pulsing behavior seen in Xenia corals, but rather a gentle swaying.
Growth: Anthelia corals are fast-growing and can quickly cover adjacent rock work.
Care: They are relatively easy to care for, requiring medium to high lighting and a medium to strong water flow.
Invasive: They can be a bit invasive and should be placed with plenty of space, as they may overgrow other corals.
Other names: They are also referred to as "Glove Coral," "Pom-Pom Coral," or "Anthelia Waving Hand Coral".
Nutrient requirements: While they rely on symbiotic zooxanthellae for photosynthesis, trace elements like iodine are beneficial.
Anthelia corals are a popular addition to reef aquariums, adding a visually appealing and dynamic element with their waving polyps and graceful movement
