New and Blue. But what is it?

[Sharkbait1]

Picked this up at MAX. Told it was a cauliflower coral. But when I looked it up all I could come up with was Pocillopora meandrina (and it's definately not that SPS) or Kenya Tree and don't think it's that. So lets see what you guys can come up with
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Sharkbait1/FishStuff/photo?authkey=A9Zcp0F4awE#5186658835452209314"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/Sharkbait1/R_q2uxJFKKI/AAAAAAAAAiA/Y9pijkdoHtU/s400/DSC_3091.JPG.jpg" /></a>

A little closer
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Sharkbait1/FishStuff/photo?authkey=A9Zcp0F4awE#5186658844042143922"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/Sharkbait1/R_q2vRJFKLI/AAAAAAAAAiI/bMa_W7jkLws/s400/DSC_3095.JPG.jpg" /></a>

[Sharkbait1]

No ideas or guesses ?

[luke33]

No idea but very cool. I'd call it a smurf house : )

[Sharkbait1]

Smurf house. I like it !! but would still like to know lighting flow requirements for proper tank placement..

Please someone

[MidwstRefSupply]

In the trades it goes by the name "BLUE PALM CORAL". This coral is non-photosynthetic. And requires strong turbulent flow. Supplemental feedings with Phyto. will benefit its health. It also appreciates Iodine much like a xenia...... HOpe this helps.


KEN

[Sharkbait1]

Thanks Ken... Any info helps. How often does it need to be fed and what are the success rates? Did I buy a "short term" coral?

[Just_A_Caveman]

The actual name is Nephtheis Fascicularis - Blue Palm coral
I am actually looking for one of those, but I am now on the east coast. Everyone I have talked to that has had one said they last about a year in captivity and die off. I've also read they fade quite a bit as time goes on.

Where are you keeping your water just out of curiosity?

[rezarf]

Thats no coral. . . its a colonial tunicate. nonphotosynthetic and most people have very little success with them. I had one last 6 months before it started to drop the raspberry shaped tops and eventually withered away completely after another month.

very diffuclt to keep alive for a long period of time IME

[phoenix]

I agree with rezarf - it is a tunicate. Limited life span in captivity. I have seen them occaisonally - Reefscience.com has them every now and then

[smariner]

You are correct, it is a colonial tunicate that is nonphotosynthetic...

Hope this helps,
Chad D. Bryant
--

[Sharkbait1]

Yep.. all are correct on all accounts.
Though fed everyday and kept in NSW it is now gone.
Another one for the lesson books on know *** it is BEFORE you buy it!