Sun Coral Tips

I purchased a large sun coral colony yesterday at a frag swap and I still haven't seen it open up. I have it placed in an area of strong but indirect current and moderate light. Does anyone have any tips on how to get it to open? I don't want it to die in the next few days because it won't come out to feed.

 

Sun corals generally only open at night and prefer a lower light area such as under an overhang.

 

yep I had mine with very little light and it almost always came out at night.....

 

I understand that they often come out at night but I have also read in several sources that they will still come out during daylight hours to feed.

 

True, but that is usually only after they have been trained to. This can usually be done by gradually moving a scheduled feeding time progressively from night to day or by turning off all flow and squirting some food over the coral multiple times to try and entice it out. Just bc it's not out during the day doesn't mean it's not doing well. I would check it at night and try feeding it then until it gets more comfortable in your tank.

 

Thanks. I've really been looking forward to getting this coral for my tank and I don't want to kill an expensive frag.

 

Yes try squirting some food and juices over the coral to entice it to open up. When feeding watch your fish or they will still all the food. I think this is one of the prettiest corals you can buy, but also the most frustrating due to the feeding issues with other fish.