Cyphastrea are a genus of massive, reef-building stony corals, commonly known as brain corals or meteor corals. They are part of the Merulinidae family and are popular in reef aquariums due to their unique appearance and vibrant colors.
Here's a more detailed description:
Key Characteristics:
Growth Pattern:
Cyphastrea corals can grow in a variety of forms, including encrusting, branching, and plating. They are known for their ability to encrust surfaces and form massive colonies.
Polyps:
They have small, star-shaped polyps that are characteristic of Small Polyp Stony (SPS) corals.
Color:
Cyphastrea come in a wide range of colors, from red and blue to green, and even more unique combinations.
Natural Habitat:
They are native to the Indo-Pacific region, where they are found in various reef environments, including shaded or low-light areas.
Care:
They are generally considered relatively hardy corals and can adapt to a variety of tank conditions, but they prefer low to moderate light levels.
Popular Varieties:
Meteor Shower:
One of the most popular color morphs is the red and blue "Meteor Shower" variant.
Other Color Morph:
Other vibrant color variations are also available, such as green, pink, and yellow.
In Summary:
Cyphastrea corals are attractive, hardy, and versatile reef corals that come in a variety of forms and colors. They are popular with reef aquarium hobbyists for their unique appearance, ability to grow in different areas of the tank, and their ability to adapt to a variety of tank conditions
Cyphastrea is a genus of reef-building stony coral, primarily known for its encrusting and plating growth patterns. They are a popular choice for reef aquariums due to their unique appearance and relative hardiness compared to some other Small Polyp Stony (SPS) corals. Cyphastrea corals are known for their vibrant colors and intricate patterns, and they thrive in a variety of tank conditions, making them suitable for both beginner and experienced reef keepers.
Key features of Cyphastrea:
Growth Pattern:
Primarily encrusting or plating, but branching and mobile ball (corallith) forms are also available.
Polyps:
Delicate, star-shaped polyps are spaced out, creating a unique and attractive appearance.
Color:
Cyphastrea corals exhibit a wide range of vibrant colors, including red, blue, green, and brown.
Lighting:
While they can tolerate some higher light, they generally prefer low to moderate light conditions.
Care:
Relatively hardy and forgiving of some tank conditions compared to other SPS corals, making them suitable for both beginner and advanced reef keepers.
Habitat:
Cyphastrea species are found in various reef environments.
Common Species:
Cyphastrea serailia and Cyphastrea microphthalma are common examples.
Aquaculturing:
Cyphastrea corals are increasingly available through aquaculturing, which benefits overall sustainability and coral robustness
Diadema setosum, commonly called the diadem urchin or long-spined sea urchin, is a species of long-spined sea urchin known for its distinct five white dots and extremely long, hollow, mildly venomous spines. It's a typical sea urchin, with a round, hard shell (test) and numerous spines. Diadema setosum is primarily found in the Indo-Pacific region, including areas from Australia and Africa to Japan and the Red Sea.
Key Features:
Spines: Long, hollow, and sharp spines that can cause painful stings, though only slightly venomous.
Test: A round, hard shell made of fused plates.
Color: Black or dark brown, with five distinctive white spots on its body.
Habitat: Shallow tropical reefs in the Indo-Pacific, from Australia to Japan and the Red Sea.
Behavior: Primarily a grazer, active at night, and vulnerable to predation from fish.
Size: Maximum test diameter of 90 mm.
Symbiotic relationships: Can host the urchin shrimp Stegopontonia commensalis.
Diet: Algae.
Distinguishing Features:
Diadema setosum can be distinguished from its sister species, D. savignyi, by the presence of white spots on its test, while D. savignyi has blue markings.
Price per 1 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 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
Duncanopsammia is a genus of stony coral consisting of a single species, Duncanopsammia axifuga, also known as whisker coral or duncan coral. These corals form colonies of individual polyps with round skeletal bases (corallites) that can be quite large. They are commonly found in the deeper waters of Western and Northern Australia, as well as the South China Sea.
Key characteristics of Duncanopsammia axifuga:
Appearance: The polyps are large and have brightly colored oral discs.
Habitat: They prefer solid objects in sandy areas.
Lighting: They thrive under low to moderate lighting.
Water Quality: They need high pH, alkalinity, and calcium levels, along with low phosphate and nitrate levels.
Feeding: They can rely on symbiotic zooxanthellae algae for photosynthesis and may also benefit from supplemental feeding of meaty marine foods like mysis and brine shrimp.
Temperament: Duncanopsammia corals are generally peaceful and can be housed with other non-aggressive corals and invertebrates, provided they have ample space to grow.
Growth: They are considered a large polyp stony (LPS) coral and can be a good choice for beginners, known for their relatively slow growth rate.
Coloration: They can come in various colors, including vibrant greens.
Tentacles: The polyps have tentacles that can retract and extend, resembling an anemone.
Commensal organisms: They can sometimes host commensal organisms like barnacles.
Defensive Mechanism: Duncan corals can release sweeper/feeder tentacles that can sting and damage other corals.
Flow: They do best with a moderate flow of water.
The Dunckerocampus dactyliophorus, commonly known as the banded pipefish or ringed pipefish, is a distinctive fish characterized by its elongated, eel-like body and alternating pale and reddish-brown to blackish bands. It has a reddish caudal fin edged with white and often a white or yellow spot in the center. They are relatively small, reaching a maximum length of about 19 cm (7.4 inches).
Key features:
Body Shape: Elongated, eel-like, with a straight body.
Coloration: Alternating pale and red to blackish bands.
Caudal Fin: Reddish with white dorsal and ventral margins.
Other Features: Often has 1-3 white spots in the center of the tail fin and a dark band crossing the opercle.
Other relevant information:
Habitat:
Found in and around rocks and reefs, often in areas with overhangs and caves.
Diet:
Primarily carnivorous, feeding on small crustaceans and zooplankton.
Behavior:
They can be kept in pairs or small groups and are known to be territorial, sometimes acting as cleaners by removing parasites from other fish.
Aquarium Care:
They require specific tank conditions, including water temperature between 72°F-77°F (22°C-25°C) and a pH between 8.1 and 8.4.
The Dunckerocampus dactyliophorus, commonly known as the banded pipefish or ringed pipefish, is a distinctive species characterized by its elongated, straight body and alternating pale and reddish-brown to blackish bands. It typically reaches a length of 15-20 cm. The caudal fin is reddish with white dorsal and ventral margins, often featuring 1-3 white spots in the center. This fish is found in lagoons, tidal pools, and outer reefs, inhabiting caves and crevices.
Key characteristics:
Body Shape: Elongated and straight, resembling a ribbon.
Coloration: Alternating pale and reddish-brown to blackish bands.
Caudal Fin: Reddish with white dorsal and ventral margins, sometimes with white spots.
Size: Generally 15-20 cm in length.
Habitat: Lagoons, tidal pools, outer reef slopes, caves, and crevices.
Social Behavior: Solitary, in pairs, or in small aggregations.
Diet: Primarily small crustaceans like copepods, mysis, and artemia.
Reproduction: Ovoviviparous, with the male carrying the eggs in a brood pouch.
Other notable features:
Fleshy streams: May have fleshy streams extending from the head, potentially for camouflage.
Territorial: Can be territorial and may not tolerate other fish with similar behavior.
Difficult to Acclimatize: Can be challenging to feed in captivity, preferring live foods.
EasyPumpe 2.0 - DC24V - 12000 l/h is packed with new innovations that make your aquarium setup and maintainace very easy, safe and efficient. The 6 pole 3 Phase motors are very stable and run very quietly. This means a longer lifespan and high efficiency.
Model
Leistung/W
Flow /L/H
Hmax./m
EP-12000
85
3600 - 12000
5
These pumps come with
run- dry protection
Overcurrent protection
Blocking protection
Features
the easypump uses safe 24V DC
Ceramic axis - providing long life
6 pole 3 Phase motor - very quiet
for fresh and marine water
includes digital controller with power display
settings are retained on power failure
includes fittings for 20 mm, 25 mm and 30mm hose (EP-6000 and 8000)
includes fittingsfor hose up to 40 mm (EP-12000)
no metal screws on pump -> no rust
2 Years warranty
EasyPumpe 2.0 - DC24V - 6500 l/h is packed with new innovations that make your aquarium setup and maintainace very easy, safe and efficient. The 6 pole 3 Phase motors are very stable and run very quietly. This means a longer lifespan and high efficiency.
Model
Leistung/W
Flow /L/H
Hmax./m
EP-6000
48
1950 - 6500
4
These pumps come with
run- dry protection
Overcurrent protection
Blocking protection
Features
the easypump uses safe 24V DC
Ceramic axis - providing long life
6 pole 3 Phase motor - very quiet
for fresh and marine water
includes digital controller with power display
settings are retained on power failure
includes fittings for 20 mm, 25 mm and 30mm hose (EP-6000 and 8000)
includes fittingsfor hose up to 40 mm (EP-12000)
no metal screws on pump -> no rust
2 Years warranty
Echinaster sepositus, the Mediterranean red sea star, is a species of starfish from the East Atlantic, including the Mediterranean Sea.
Description
Echinaster sepositus has five relatively slender arms around a small central disc. It usually has a diameter of up to 20 cm (8 in), but can exceptionally reach up to 30 cm (12 in).It is a bright orange-red in colour, and has a soapy surface texture unlike superficially similar Henricia starfish (another somewhat similar species from the same region is Ophidiaster ophidianus). The surface is dotted with evenly spaced pits from which the animal can extend its deep red gills (papula).
Distribution
Echinaster sepositus is found in the East Atlantic north of the Equator, including the Mediterranean Sea where it is one of the most common starfish (although virtually absent from some localities). Its northern limit is the English Channel, but only on the French side. It is found at depths of 1 to 250 m (3–820 ft) in a wide range of habitats, including rocky, sandy and muddy bottoms, and sea grass meadows (Posidonia oceanica and Zostera)
Echinophyllia is a genus of large polyp stony corals (LPS), also known as chalice corals, found in the Indo-Pacific and Red Sea. These corals are colonial and foliaceous, with thin, often plate-like or encrusting colonies. They are popular in reef aquariums due to their relatively easy care and various color variations.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
Appearance:
Echinophyllia corals have a flat, encrusting growth habit, forming thin plates or laminae. They can have a central corallite or widely spaced radial corallites.
Color:
They come in various colors, including gray-blue, green, brown, and red.
Habitat:
They prefer sheltered reef environments, especially lower reef slopes and vertical surfaces.
Care in Aquariums:
Echinophyllia corals thrive in moderately lit aquariums with low to moderate current and are sensitive to high levels of phosphate, according to Whitecorals.com.
Scientific Classification:
Echinophyllia is a genus of large polyp stony corals, often sold under the name "Chalice Coral" due to their distinct shape and difficulty in precise species differentiation, according to Whitecorals.com.
Similarities:
Echinophyllia corals can resemble Oxypora, but Echinophyllia species tend to have more prominent central corallites.
Key Species:
Echinophyllia aspera (Flat Lettuce Coral): A common and encrusting type of chalice coral.
Echinophyllia echinata: Similar in appearance to Echinomorpha nishihirai, featuring a prominent central corallite.
Echinophyllia echinoporoides: Characterized by small, immersed corallites and exsert costae.
Echinophyllia patula: Distinguishable by its thin laminae with widely spaced, irregular corallites.
Echinophyllia tarae: Has a distinctive paliform crown and a compact, spongy columella.
