Great corals for a marine aquarium
Coral reefs are in danger of becoming extinct in the future due to the pollution from man and global warming. Although usually very resilient they are now having a hard time. Keeping a reef aquarium will raise the awareness of the marine life and the very narrow environmental conditions these animals need to exist. Below are some great corals to keep and nurture and will enhance any marine aquarium.

Long Tentacled Plate Coral

Long Tentacle Disc Corals are a bottom dwelling stony coral, however they are often mistaken for Sea Anemones. This is because when their tentacles are fully open they completely obscure their skeletons, giving the illusion of a soft bodied Anemone. Much the same as Fungia sp. discs, Heliofungia's skeleton forms a cupped disc with ridges that radiate from a central oral opening. These corals come in a variety of colours, usually green, pink, or purple. Tentacles extend several inches upward on the upper side of the animal, and may have brightly coloured tips. These Corals have a medium aggressiveness rating because they are quite mobile on an open surface, and can sting other corals that it may come into contact. Place this specimen on a gravel or rubble bottom in direct light, with a medium to low water movement.

Blue Staghorn Acropora

Acropora is one of the most popular and easily recognisable corals in the aquarium world. It is easy to propagate and if given the proper conditions, not difficult to maintain. Lighting must be high and supplemental planktonic foods can be given occasionally. Trace minerals and calcium levels should also be kept high for proper skeletal formation. Colours can vary from browns to blue, green, or pinks. This light blue staghorn colony is a highly prized form only rarely seen in the hobby.

Green Scroll Coral

Scroll Coral often grows in either plate-like or curly, rolled patterns. This variety is bright green in coloration, though the polyps may be slightly lighter. These corals will thrive under moderate to high lighting and water flow.

Red Scolymia Coral

Scolymia corals look very similar to and are often confused with Cynarina corals. However Scolymia do not expand their fleshy skin as much as Cynarina and have different skeletal structures. Their care is very similar however, requiring strong lighting between 3-5 watts and moderate water flow over them. They may be fed meaty foods such as brine shrimp or krill which they will direct to their mouth, normally located at the centre of the coral. Scolymia are found in various colours such as green, red, blue and some coloration that blend more than one colour together. These colours vary from coral to coral with the most common one being found being the green coloration. The red colour of this colony is quite rare. When placing in the aquarium secure coral so that they will not be knocked over which may damage the skin and cause infections?

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