The Chili Coral is a very popular soft coral. It is exotic and brilliant in appearance which makes it a terrific addition to any reef tank. Its fiery red coloration reminiscent of sun dried chili peppers, and that?s why named as the Chili Coral. This visually stunning coral boasts a beautiful architecture as well as color. The Chili Coral is non-photosynthetic which makes it very easy to care and maintain. It needs moderate lighting and water flow, as it doesn?t undergo photosynthesis. The Chili Coral requires an ample space for its growth and no interference of neighbor corals.
Over hanging live rocks and ledges create a perfect environment for the Chili Coral proper growth. It cannot tolerate too much light. Instead it needs indirect water flow for its survival. The Chili Coral are not comfortable to strong direct current which impede in opening of polyps. As they are not photosynthetic, through water flow only they receive their food. Also, the Chili Coral need to be fed through filter feeding and other diets as micro-planktons, rotifiers, baby brine shrimp and other shrimps. Supplements of strontium, iodine, and trace elements are beneficial in continued good health. The Chili Coral is indisputably stunning and makes the animal a centerpiece in any aquarium.
This coral is non-photosynthetic and does not require much light. Place this coral under an overhang or into a cave out of direct light. Ensure that there is moderately strong flow across this coral.This is a very interesting specimen for the reef aquarium.Polyp extension is best seen after the lights are out and in moonlighting.This coral takes its nutrients from the water column. Marine snow and plankton are recommended.Corals are part of a biological group known as Cnidaria. Most Cnidaria have a mouth,or mouths, that opens into one big body cavity. Due to the lack of a true digestivesystem, this cavity acts in its place and after the food is broken down the nutrients are then sent through the rest of the body as food. There is also no excretory system; therefore the waste is sent back through the mouth or secreted into the surrounding water.Tentacles of varying size will usually surround the mouth of Cnidaria. Most Cnidaria have tentacles with stinging cells that can shoot tiny poison darts into their prey or can even be used as a defense mechanism. Some corals lack tentacles and instead cover themselves with a thin layer of mucus and use that to collect bacteria and plankton as food. Some corals even use both of these methods. Cnidaria can either bean individual animal or members of a complex colony. These "Colony Corals" share the food and nutrients taken in by each individual.Corals have tiny living organisms that actually live in their tissue. These are called zooxanthellae and they are the reason why such strong lighting is needed in the saltwater aquarium. These algae-like creatures provide the coral with oxygen and other nutrients that are produced during photosynthesis. During this process, the zooxanthellae take up carbon dioxide and provide nutrients to the coral.Corals can use two different types of defense mechanisms. One of which is a sweeper tentacle wherein the coral reaches its tentacles out to try to damage another coral with nematocysts. The other is when the coral releases a minute amount of toxin into the water to poison another coral within certain proximity.
