Corals Native to Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico and West Atlantic

Musing.Dog · 08/18/2011, 10:52 AM

I considered the idea of a tank featuring creatures from this approximate area but while the area seems rich in macros and fish, I can't seem to find many corals native to this area. Among the few I have found are ricordeas. There seem to be a few gorgonians as well.

What are some other aquarium suitable species native to this area? In addition to considering a biotope tank, I am genuinely curious.

evannave · 08/18/2011, 11:11 AM

that is it because hard coral from there are illegal to own or collect. you can still have a great tank with what you can get like mushrooms and gorgonians.

cody6766 · 08/18/2011, 11:17 AM

Zoas are also native to the caribbean. You'll find LPS out there as well. Brain-type corals are common.

ravenmore · 08/18/2011, 12:31 PM

I saw a bunch of great stuff in the Keys. Made me want to move to Florida.

Musing.Dog · 08/18/2011, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cody6766

Zoas are also native to the caribbean. You'll find LPS out there as well. Brain-type corals are common.

Any particular kinds of zoas or LPS? I have seen some brain corals in photos. Sadly, I have never seen the reefs for myself.

Musing.Dog · 08/18/2011, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by evannave

that is it because hard coral from there are illegal to own or collect. you can still have a great tank with what you can get like mushrooms and gorgonians.

I have read this but I am sure there are other things like you have mentioned. Ricordeas are beautiful and diverse enough to fill a tank themselves. What other mushrooms are native to this area besides ricordeas (and yumas?)? The gorgonians seem sort of higher maintenance but it would be worth it I believe, plenty of them, even the photosynthetic species, are attractive.

my40breeder · 08/18/2011, 02:43 PM

lots of zoas are native or grow in FL...bloodshots, PPE, GPE, miami vice, blue kiss, cosmic queen, frostbites, etc. are all local to south FL.

Musing.Dog · 08/18/2011, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by my40breeder

lots of zoas are native or grow in FL...bloodshots, PPE, GPE, miami vice, blue kiss, cosmic queen, frostbites, etc. are all local to south FL.

Thank you very much for the zoa names; now I have a starting place. There is quite a selection of Caribbean zoas apparently.

Curious George · 08/18/2011, 02:59 PM

Don't forget the big colorful sponges- i always see lots of them when snorkeling. Reds, yellows, green and white. Gorgonians too.

KSzegi · 08/18/2011, 05:43 PM

Here are a couple that I got from TBS ....

BrassMonkey · 08/18/2011, 05:45 PM

your not missing out on anything, the hard corals all brown and ugly.

Musing.Dog · 08/18/2011, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KSzegi

Here are a couple that I got from TBS ....

Thanks for the pictures. Beautiful polyps on these corals. Does "TBS" stand for Tampa Bay Saltwater? Their site only has rock on it as far as I know.

heckfire · 08/18/2011, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrassMonkey

your not missing out on anything, the hard corals all brown and ugly.

hah +1 even in the keys its the same

KSzegi · 08/18/2011, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Musing.Dog

Thanks for the pictures. Beautiful polyps on these corals. Does "TBS" stand for Tampa Bay Saltwater? Their site only has rock on it as far as I know.

Yea, Tampa Bay Saltwater. I know he sells sponges, gorgonians, and some livestock individually from the rock and sand but I'm not sure about the corals ..... I did get them as part of a package of rock I ordered from him a couple years ago. He throws in an awful lot of extras - besides the hitchhikers

I know they're just plain brown corals but I have always liked the big one (sorry don't know its name), great shape and polyps, i think it has character! And the other small one is pretty plain but great to fill in a little shady spot!

shrimphead · 08/18/2011, 06:23 PM

st thomas mushrooms

SpencerG · 08/18/2011, 09:32 PM

TBS is probably it for trying to get a hitchhiker stony native to this part of the ocean. They aren't very colorful, certainly by Pacific standards, but would be a nice addition to the zoas, ricordea, sponges and gorgonia. Also, maybe some of the anemones.

Definitely check out some photos of Caribbean reefs to get some inspiration. Good luck with your project and please post some photos!

Musing.Dog · 08/18/2011, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpencerG

TBS is probably it for trying to get a hitchhiker stony native to this part of the ocean. They aren't very colorful, certainly by Pacific standards, but would be a nice addition to the zoas, ricordea, sponges and gorgonia. Also, maybe some of the anemones.

Definitely check out some photos of Caribbean reefs to get some inspiration. Good luck with your project and please post some photos!

Thanks, I have been looking at some pictures for inspiration. It might not end up being "pure" but I am sure I will have fun with it, and there will be plenty of pictures. My tank is young and my experience limited, so not having many stony coral choices isn't such a bad thing. Like already mentioned in this thread, there is a plethora of attractive species to choose from.

08/18/2011, 10:52 AM	#1
Musing.Dog Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Arizona, US Posts: 231	Corals Native to Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico and West Atlantic I considered the idea of a tank featuring creatures from this approximate area but while the area seems rich in macros and fish, I can't seem to find many corals native to this area. Among the few I have found are ricordeas. There seem to be a few gorgonians as well. What are some other aquarium suitable species native to this area? In addition to considering a biotope tank, I am genuinely curious.

08/18/2011, 11:17 AM	#3
cody6766 Super Best Friends! Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: OKC, OK Posts: 3,772	Zoas are also native to the caribbean. You'll find LPS out there as well. Brain-type corals are common. __________________ "The moral is the chosen, not the forced; the understood, not the obeyed. The moral is the rational, and reason accepts no commandments." - John Galt Current Tank Info: Cadlights 60G Arisan II mixed reef with 2x MP40s and 24" ATI

08/18/2011, 12:31 PM	#4
ravenmore Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Austin TX Posts: 1,590	I saw a bunch of great stuff in the Keys. Made me want to move to Florida. __________________ Mean people are like slinkys. They're really not worth much but still are entertaining to watch tumble down the stairs. Current Tank Info: 75 gallon reef tank in progress

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08/18/2011, 11:11 AM	#2
evannave Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 67	that is it because hard coral from there are illegal to own or collect. you can still have a great tank with what you can get like mushrooms and gorgonians.

08/18/2011, 02:43 PM	#7
my40breeder Moved On Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: West Palm Beach, FL Posts: 49	lots of zoas are native or grow in FL...bloodshots, PPE, GPE, miami vice, blue kiss, cosmic queen, frostbites, etc. are all local to south FL.

08/18/2011, 02:59 PM	#9
Curious George Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 748	Don't forget the big colorful sponges- i always see lots of them when snorkeling. Reds, yellows, green and white. Gorgonians too.

08/18/2011, 05:43 PM	#10
KSzegi Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Ocala, FL Posts: 278	Here are a couple that I got from TBS ....

08/18/2011, 05:45 PM	#11
BrassMonkey Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Palm Beach Posts: 950	your not missing out on anything, the hard corals all brown and ugly.

08/18/2011, 06:23 PM	#15
shrimphead Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 552	st thomas mushrooms

08/18/2011, 09:32 PM	#16
SpencerG Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: New Orleans Posts: 356	TBS is probably it for trying to get a hitchhiker stony native to this part of the ocean. They aren't very colorful, certainly by Pacific standards, but would be a nice addition to the zoas, ricordea, sponges and gorgonia. Also, maybe some of the anemones. Definitely check out some photos of Caribbean reefs to get some inspiration. Good luck with your project and please post some photos!