More and more people are setting up saltwater aquariums and adding coral to their decor. As with any living thing, it's best to understand the creature and know how to care for it properly before bringing it home. Coral is no different since it is a living animal that you will be adding to your aquarium. The care and maintenance of coral should be fully understood before making the final decision to add this magnificent animal to your aquarium.
The most common species of coral used in aquariums are called bubble coral. Since they are so common, we will use this species as a guideline. Within the bubble coral family, there are three subspecies. These are the simple bubble coral, the pearl bubble coral, and the grape bubble coral. They all heal the same way, which is why we'll refer to them as Bubble Coral in the rest of the article.
One of the most important things to know about your corals is how to space them when adding them to the aquarium. The bubble coral has long tentacles armed with stinging cells. Most of the time, they remain retracted until nightfall, when they expand to facilitate eating habits. These tentacles can sting nearby corals if they are close enough. Be aware of this when placing coral in your aquarium and try to keep pieces of coral at least 15cm away from others.
When you think about location. Also, consider the lighting available where you place them. If you have additional light sources in addition to the tube in the hood, the bubble coral should do well anywhere in the aquarium. If you are using the supplied fluorescent tubes for lighting, it is best to place the coral closer to the surface. This species of coral prefers low-water movements. Be careful not to place it in direct current. The coral vesicles would then remain closed. This will lead to his death.
When the coral is in the aquarium, you must remember that it is a living animal and must eat just like your fish. For the bubble coral, feed it shrimp or small pieces of clams once or twice a week. Place the food pieces on the coral polyp. Any food that is trapped by the tentacles or among the blisters will be eaten almost immediately. It is important not to overfeed the coral or your fish. Algae are parasites that can damage or even kill coral. Keep algae as controlled as possible by performing regular cleaning of your aquarium.
Bubble coral can also have flatworms. These worms are easily spotted and usually appear as circular spots on coral blisters. There is no cause for alarm and they usually cause little or no damage. However, if you notice a significant amount or large population of these worms, you will need to take action as they can cause death.
Coral is a wonderful addition to any aquarium. Many people are not informed about how to take care of these animals. It is advisable to learn everything you can about the animal, it's functioning, and its life before adding it to the aquarium. Once you have acquired the necessary knowledge and know how to care for it properly, the coral will help create a fascinating underwater paradise.