Scientific
Name: Flavites abdita (tentative)
Classification: LPS
Common Names: Moon Coral, Pineapple Coral
Description:
Moon coral is a massive boulder shaped coral, brown or greenish brown in
color. Tentacles up to about 2" long are extended in the evening and at night..
Veron: Colonies are massive, either rounded or
hillocky and sometimes over one meter across. Corallites are rounded, with
thick walls. Septa are straight with exsert teeth. Color is dark in
turbid environments, otherwise pale brown with brown or green oral discs.
Natural Environment:
Veron: Most reef environments
Care:
Hardiness: Moon coral is
fairly hardy.
Lighting: Seems to prefer moderate lighting. Is easily burned by
high UV levels.
Water Current: Low to moderate water current levels seems to suit
this coral just fine.
Temperature: Does well within a range of at least 75º to 84º F
Aggressiveness: Low. Moon coral seems to pack a weak stinging capability
and seems to frequently come out on the losing end when doing battle with other
corals.
Feeding: Moon coral is photosynthetic and requires no direct
feeding, but will take small meaty foods if offered when tentacles are out in
the evening or at night.
Supplements: Maintaining correct calcium levels is important for
skeletal development
Tank Positioning: Best positioning is normally on or near
the bottom of the
tank if under high intensity lighting. Can be mounted higher up on the live
rock under moderate lighting.
