North Caribbean Corals

What are some corals from the North Caribbean? I would like to make a little bio-thingy for my mantis tank.

http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/arthro...costraca/royslist/species.php?name=n_wennerae

 

A bunch of atlantic gorgonians

 

I saw them when I was snorkling in Florida (Key West). Aren't they super hard to keep alive in captivity?

 

some are, some aren't. Stay away from NPS or non-photosynthetic gorgs. Good one i've had and abused for years is the purple sea whip. John at reefcleaners sent it to me for free wrapped in wet paper towel and its a great little critter. cant wait to move my zoa rack so it can thrive better.

 

How do they do in small tanks?

 

FIne. I had it in a 46, then its stashed under a frag rack in the corner of my tank now. There are alot of nice Gorgonians and 'closed' brain corals that would do great in a tank. Sponges i stay away from though.

 

My mantis tank is a 5.5g lol.

 

Yea a 46 and a 5.... Itty bitty difference

When I went for my honey moon we went snorkeling and I can tell you there are so many sea fans and brains.... I swear it was like everywhere I looked they were there.

 

you could also try to find some larger mangroves and put them in the DT, they also love chaetomorpha algae (atleast mine did) but im not sure if thats from north carribean. You could try some other macro algaes though.

I have been keeping a purple gorgonian for about a month in my 14G, so i would think if you get a photosynthetic one and keep your params stable, it can also be done in a 5.5G.

 

I think mangroves would be interesting. I'm pretty sure all of the brains I saw in Florida were dead /: