Page 289 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

SPONGES AND ANEMONES 287

Rhodactis species Amphimedon compressa
Elephant Ears Red Tree Sponge

ORIGINS Distribution extends from the central part of ORIGINS Widely distributed throughout the waters
the Indo-Pacific as far south as Australia. of the Caribbean.
SIZE 8 in (20 cm). SIZE 8 in (20 cm).
DIET May prey on brine shrimp. Will also consume some DIET Plankton or puréed food. Will need feeding
meat-based foods. every day or two.
WATER Temperature 77–79°F (25–26°C); alkaline WATER Temperature 77–79°F (25–26°C); alkaline
(pH 8.1–8.3) with SG 1.020–1.024. (pH 8.1–8.3) with SG 1.020–1.024.
Despite its name, the Red Tree Sponge is often
pinkish rather than red. This paler hue is not a
reflection of poor health, because this species
varies naturally in coloration. What is likely to
be a sign of ill-health, however, is the appearance
of white patches on the body—the coloration
should be uniform. Red Tree Sponges require
dimly lit surroundings. They feed on microscopic
plankton, so they must be placed in a current to
ensure that food is wafted to them. Under no
circumstances should these sponges be allowed
This flattened, disklike anemone has very short to dry out when they are being moved, since
tentacles and resembles a coral. Unlike true stony this can prove fatal. It is also not advisable to
corals, it lacks a hard body casing. Also, each introduce these or other sponges to a recently
anemone body is separate, while coral polyps are established reef aquarium, which is unlikely to
joined. Elephant Ears contains symbiotic bacteria contain enough natural food for them. When
that provide it with food when they photosynthesize. purchasing a Red Tree Sponge, especially a
It needs strong light to thrive and benefits from large specimen, check that there are no tiny
water movement in the tank. crustaceans lurking among its branches.

Heteractis magnifica
COLONIAL LIFE
Magnificent Anemone
Some anemones, such as these Yellow Indonesian to the threat. The length of the extended
Polyps (Parazoanthus sp.), live in colonies. They tentacles gives an insight into the health of the ORIGINS Ranges throughout the Indo-Pacific region,
are vulnerable to predators, such as marine colony. Shortened tentacles suggest poor water from the Red Sea eastward as far as Samoa.
angelfish (see pp.252–255), when their tentacles quality, ill-health, or individuals that have SIZE 40 in (100 cm).
are exposed (below right). If danger approaches, recently inflicted a sting. All the anemones in DIET Meat-based foods. Avoid overfeeding, which will
an anemone will pull its tentacles into its body a colony are likely to be clones of one another. impair water quality.
(below left). One advantage of communal living They reproduce asexually, sending out runners WATER Temperature 77–79°F (25–26°C); alkaline
is that when one anemone withdraws its that develop into new anemones, enabling the (pH 8.1–8.3) with SG 1.020–1.024.
tentacles, all its neighbors are instantly alerted colony to grow in size.
The body of this anemone ranges from purplish-
pink to white and even avocado green, although
much of it is hidden by the tentacles, which are
typically over 3 in (7.5 cm) long. If the tentacles
are largely retracted, the water quality is likely to
have deteriorated. This anemone sometimes occurs
in groups on the reef, often close to the surface.

US_286-287_Sponges_Anemones.indd 287 29/08/18 4:10 PM