The Mycedium Coral is a large polyp stony (LPS) coral, and is often referred to as the Green Eyed Cup, Plate, or Peacock Coral. The most commonly imported species is Mycedium elephantotus, dubbed “Elephant Nose,” from the Fiji Islands. A blue to green base color with bright green polyps is the standard color variety available. Occasionally, other color morphs are available including grays, browns, purples, and pinks. The genus name combines the two Greek words mykes (mushroom tops) and idion (diminutive) giving a liberal translation of small bumps.

The diameter of each individual polyp can range from less than 1/8th of an inch in newly-formed colonies, up to a 1/2 inch in mature colonies that have reached sizes exceeding 6 feet. The polyp’s round shape is surrounded by a raised skeleton wall giving the polyps their bump-like appearance. The morphology of Mycedium as a colony adapts quickly to any niche in which it finds itself. Its peaceful nature, combined with adaptability, allows it grow into a number of different shapes. One of the more common forms is a flat fan shape. The sweeper tentacles and polyps are normally only extended at night.

A medium to strong water flow across the surface of the coral is recommended in order to carry food to the polyps. In the home aquarium, the Elephant Nose Coral will do best if attached to live rock at a midpoint in the aquarium. As with all hard corals, calcium and other trace element supplements added to the water are required for optimal aquarium conditions.

Supplemental target feeding of brine shrimp once a week will also foster increased growth.

The Seriatopora Bird’s Nest Coral is also referred to as a Needle, Finger, or Brush Coral. The genus name, Seriatopora, comes from the Latin Seriatus (arranged in a series) and porus (pore) because its calcium skeleton is composed of a series of pores making up the whole structure. It is a small polyp stony (SPS) coral with very delicate, thin branches with needle-like tips that differentiate it from its closest relative, the Staghorn Corals that have much thicker branches. It is found in a variety of color forms with pink being the most common. It will change colors in the reef aquarium growing darker with age. Aquacultured specimens are available.

The Seriatopora Bird’s Nest Coral needs a high light level and a medium water current within the aquarium to maintain its bright colors. For continued good health, it will also require the addition of calcium, strontium, and other trace elements to the water.

While it does not require additional food to maintain its health in the reef aquarium, it will feed on micro-plankton and foods designed for filter feeding invertebrates. Many scientists and hobbyists have recently cultured young Bird’s Nest Corals by fragmenting a mother colony and raising the small branches in impeccable water conditions under intense lighting.

Acrozoanthus Stick Polyps are colonial animals with multiple tan or brown individual polyps attached to the discarded or dead tubes of tubeworms or fanworms. The colony is also referred to as Encrusting Stick Anemones, or Tree Polyps. The polyps have long tentacles and the ability to sting other polyps or corals, although the sting is not strong.

Stick/Tree Polyps are semi-aggressive and need space between their own colony and other corals. They require a high light level combined with a medium water movement within the aquarium. For continued good health, they also require the addition of iodine and other trace elements to the water.

They will reproduce in the reef aquarium on their own by budding (splitting off a portion of their base or mouth), if adequate water quality parameters are maintained.

The symbiotic algae zooxanthellae hosted within their bodies provide the majority of their nutritional requirements through photosynthesis. The remainder of their nutritional requirements will need to be provided in the form of regular weekly feedings of micro-plankton or brine shrimp.

The Anthelia Waving Hand Coral, depending upon the variety may also be referred to as a Glove or Pulsing Coral. It is a group of colonial animals with several individual polyps attached to a piece of solid substrate. Their polyps have the distinctive eight-leaved tentacles associated with all of the members of this family. Some varieties may pulse, and many scientists believe the pulsing action of the polyps slowly opening and closing is designed to either dispose of gasses and waste, or collect food from the water column, or both. The amount of pulsing will vary with various water parameters. In general, Anthelia sp. pulse less than their relatives, the Xenia sp., but they are more hardy. They are less likely to pulse in an aquarium than in the wild. Aquacultured specimens are currently available for purchase.

Predatory fish, crabs, snails, or the stings of other corals may damage the colony quite easily. Therefore, provide adequate space between them and sessile animals, especially other types of soft corals. They are difficult to maintain in an aquarium. They require a medium to high light level combined with a medium to strong water movement within the aquarium. For continued good health, they will also require the addition of iodine and other trace elements to the water.

Under ideal conditions, and once acclimated, they may reproduce in the established reef aquarium, forming a creeping mat, which will quickly grow over any adjacent rock work.

The symbiotic algae zooxanthellae hosted within their bodies provide the majority of their nutritional requirements through photosynthesis. Additional weekly feedings of micro-plankton or foods designed for filter feeding invertebrates are also needed.

Family: Actinodiscidae/Discosomatidae
Range: Indo-Pacific, South Pacific
Color Form: Brown, Tan, Green, Red, Blue
Ideal Supplements: Calcium, Iodine, Strontium, Trace elements
Reef Compatible: Yes
Tank Conditions: 72-78ºF; sg 1.023-1.025; pH 8.1-8.4
Water Flow: Low to Medium
Light: Medium
Dominance: Semi-aggressive
Placement: All levels
Care Level: Easy