Carnation Strawberry Coral

[Lisa Cain]

If any one has had success keeping a Carnation Strawberry Coral- What worked? Thank you. Posting a picture but it is closed at this moment. Feeding it Reef Rods, Zooplanktos-M BY Brightwell and Phyco Pure by Green water. 65 Gallon Red Sea Aquarium.

 

[Reeffraff]

These are non-photosynthetic corals and are difficult to care for. They seem to be more sensitive to nitrates and alk swings than other soft corals. Some are collected from deeper waters and don't fare well at the warmer temps of most reef tanks. They need frequent feedings, which it sounds like you're doing, but unless the polyps are extended before adding food, the coral won't capture any of it. So best not to feed until it opens up (unless you're trying to feed other corals).
In the wild, I have most often observed these corals on deeper ledges and reef walls exposed to pretty strong currents, so good water flow (but not direct jets) are recommended.
Also, I noticed you placed the coral at the top of your reef where light is the highest. Since they don't need light, this can actually promote the growth of nuisance algae on the coral, which is obviously not good.
Not an easy coral. Best of luck with it.

 

[Lisa Cain]

Thank you, Thank you. I made the mistake of purchasing the coral without reading about it first. The person who sold it to me kept saying it is fine in my tank when I asked how hard it was to take care of. However, he had only gotten it the day before. Lesson learned. I am going to do my best to take care of it. I have purchased three types of food. Sometimes it opens and then it closes. When I place the reef roids and other food on it. I do notice that It moves a lot when I do that. I guess that means it is eating. I am going to try! Thanks again. I had it down low but there was not much flow. I put it up high so that it could get more flow but I may have to move it again.

 

[danieyella]

@Dr. Dendrostein is a great resource for NPS care

 

[Dr. Dendrostein]

Thank you, Thank you. I made the mistake of purchasing the coral without reading about it first. The person who sold it to me kept saying it is fine in my tank when I asked how hard it was to take care of. However, he had only gotten it the day before. Lesson learned. I am going to do my best to take care of it. I have purchased three types of food. Sometimes it opens and then it closes. When I place the reef roids and other food on it. I do notice that It moves a lot when I do that. I guess that means it is eating. I am going to try! Thanks again. I had it down low but there was not much flow. I put it up high so that it could get more flow but I may have to move it again.

Placed sideways or upside down ideal. But unfortunately not all tanks are created equal. So you'll need to move it around your tank till you find a spot where it will continuously open and you have about 5 days before it really starts deteriorating. Spot feed it, because your filtration system won't handle the proper way to feed them. So spot feed it as often as it's open. And what you have is one of the easier NPS corals to take care of. You can try Coral Curry and mix Red Sea energy AB+ with it or similar. The flow and spot feeding will be the key to your success.


1 of 20 carnation corals

 

[Lisa Cain]

Placed sideways or upside down ideal. But unfortunately not all tanks are created equal. So you'll need to move it around your tank till you find a spot where it will continuously open and you have about 5 days before it really starts deteriorating. Spot feed it, because your filtration system won't handle the proper way to feed them. So spot feed it as often as it's open. And what you have is one of the easier NPS corals to take care of. You can try Coral Curry and mix Red Sea energy AB+ with it or similar. The flow and spot feeding will be the key to your success.


1 of 20 carnation corals

Thank you and your quote states my mistake. Thank you!!

 

[Lisa Cain]

Thank you and your quote states my mistake. Thank you!!

The coral is beautiful!!

 

[Lisa Cain]

@Dr. Dendrostein is a great resource for NPS care

Thank You!! I will read the articles. I appreciate your help. I placed it closer to the bottom of the tank and it is on its side instead of standing straight up. It is simply extending up. I did not have a place to hang it completely up side down. Every time that I see it open I feed it. It was open late last night and I fed it, early this morning it opened and I fed it and it is now open and I fed it. I gently squirt the food around it and and in between its branches. It is hard to tell if it is eating. It wiggles and moves more when I place food around it . I guess that means it is is eating.

 

[Devaji]

Thank You!! I will read the articles. I appreciate your help. I placed it closer to the bottom of the tank and it is on its side instead of standing straight up. It is simply extending up. I did not have a place to hang it completely up side down. Every time that I see it open I feed it. It was open late last night and I fed it, early this morning it opened and I fed it and it is now open and I fed it. I gently squirt the food around it and and in between its branches. It is hard to tell if it is eating. It wiggles and moves more when I place food around it . I guess that means it is is eating.

beautiful one of my fav. corals just wish they where not NPS or easier to keep.
I do hope thsi guy makes it in your aquarium.
please keep us posted.

and we have all been there, buying with out fully understanding. like you said lesson learned.

 

[Lisa Cain]

beautiful one of my fav. corals just wish they where not NPS or easier to keep.
I do hope thsi guy makes it in your aquarium.
please keep us posted.

and we have all been there, buying with out fully understanding. like you said lesson learned.

The coral is still surviving and doing ok. What helps to keep down the nitrate level. My windows have brown algae that I scrape off everyday. My sand is accumulating brown and red. Not bad but I do not want it to get worse.

 

[Dr. Dendrostein]

The coral is still surviving and doing ok. What helps to keep down the nitrate level. My windows have brown algae that I scrape off everyday. My sand is accumulating brown and red. Not bad but I do not want it to get worse.

Try reducing amount of feeding portions. I'm not talking about frequency....how often. ..

 

[Lisa Cain]

Try reducing amount of feeding portions. I'm not talking about frequency....how often. ..

Thank you!

 

[kutcha]

i dont know why but it kind of creeps me out i dont like it lol.

 

[Lisa Cain]

Carnation coral is hanging in there. It loves to extend upward when it is hungry. I got a birds nest coral today. I will be glad when I can add more color to my tank.

Question: I an an anemone person. I have two big anemone that have decided to hide. That is frustrating. I do not want them to settle behind the rock and die. What do most people do when that happens?

 

[therootcause]

Update on the carnation?

 

[Land&Sea]

I’m guessing it didn’t make it? Stumbled onto this old thread while thinking about giving a carnation a try. All my Dendros and NPS gorg’s are THRIVING really starting to take off, so was thinking of dipping my toes into some of the other NPS corals to fill in some places with little to no light. Sounds like the carnation is just the challenge (and color) I’m looking for.