 |
|||
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
Hard Corals: Hard corals are also referred to as stony corals, and are
members of the order Scleractinia. Hard Corals can be differentiated from other types of corals by their calcium skeleton or base. These
corals are often broken down into two groups by their polyp type: small polyp stony corals (SPS) and large polyp stony corals (LPS).
Hard corals should be Provided with excellent water conditions, good lighting, and space within the reef aquarium. Hard corals are similar to Anemones in that both animals use a mechanism called a nematocyst to deliver a sting to ward off predators, or maintain their space on the reef from other species of competing corals. Some species of LPS have sweeper tentacles that can reach several inches long at night. These tentacles will sting adjacent and neighboring corals causing extensive damage to some species. Avoid contact with hard corals when cleaning the aquarium, this will prevent any mild allergic reaction to the stinging cells of some corals. Hard corals reproduce both sexually by releasing eggs and sperm into the water, and also asexually by producing buds generated from the parent. The most common form of reproduction in an aquarium is budding. Click on thumbnails for more information.
|
|
- Copyright
© 2004 - 2008 by Saltwater Aquarium Guide All Rights Reserved - |
|
- - - - |
