Elegance Coral Ok on rocks?

derek12261984 · Aug 30, 2024

I need advice on where to place my newer elegance coral. It’s a perfect cone skeleton so I just sat it into a frag hole that I drilled in a rock. Seems to fit perfectly and be happy. I’ve heard, however, that they should always be kept in the sand bed in order to be happy. Not sure how true this is, but because of the conical shape of the skeleton, it’s been almost impossible to stand it up straight in the sand. If it’s OK on a rock, I’m happy to keep it there, but just don’t wanna kill it. Are they OK to live on a rock?

Ben's Pico Reefing · Aug 30, 2024

Sand is recommended due to the coral tissue getting scrapped or irritated due to rubbing on course surfaces. If the area is smooth no issues. I don't see much probable but would need clearer photo with whites to really tell.

I will warn you. Elegance corals can go through an ugly phase where it looks like it's dying. It may swell, shrivel up, balloon, see white strings, and even tentacles disappear. Do not move it around unless you noticeably see or know the cause. Almost all mine have done this in the beginning. Unless you identify a parameter off, don't try and dose or add anything if everything else is happy. You may not have the elegance go through this but you will possibly see it act or look odd at some point.

derek12261984 · Aug 30, 2024

Ben's Pico Reefing said:
Sand is recommended due to the coral tissue getting scrapped or irritated due to rubbing on course surfaces. If the area is smooth no issues. I don't see much probable but would need clearer photo with whites to really tell.

I will warn you. Elegance corals can go through an ugly phase where it looks like it's dying. It may swell, shrivel up, balloon, see white strings, and even tentacles disappear. Do not move it around unless you noticeably see or know the cause. Almost all mine have done this in the beginning. Unless you identify a parameter off, don't try and dose or add anything if everything else is happy. You may not have the elegance go through this but you will possibly see it act or look odd at some point.

The rock is fairly smooth, (no sharp edges)and it seems pretty happy. I’ve attached a couple of other photos with white light. My sand is pretty course. How long did your last stay upset? I would have thought ECS from your description. I’ve lost one to the disease previously but I had to get another as they are my absolute favorite!

Ben's Pico Reefing · Aug 30, 2024

derek12261984 said:
The rock is fairly smooth, (no sharp edges)and it seems pretty happy. I’ve attached a couple of other photos with white light. My sand is pretty course. How long did your last stay upset? I would have thought ECS from your description. I’ve lost one to the disease previously but I had to get another as they are my absolute favorite!

Looks safe there. ECS from what I have read isn't really identified as to what it actually was only theories and some to do with stressors with change in. Environment. They also don't like detritus. These corals are good indicators of to much lol. You can search for my posts with elegance and also other people's experience. They also don't like shadowing. But yours shouldn't have that issue. I'll try to post link later of one of the elegances I had that recovered with everything I stated. Lol

derek12261984 · Aug 30, 2024

Ben's Pico Reefing said:
Looks safe there. ECS from what I have read isn't really identified as to what it actually was only theories and some to do with stressors with change in. Environment. They also don't like detritus. These corals are good indicators of to much lol. You can search for my posts with elegance and also other people's experience. They also don't like shadowing. But yours shouldn't have that issue. I'll try to post link later of one of the elegances I had that recovered with everything I stated. Lol

I appreciate that! I’ve read some of the literature put out about the syndrome. It definitely seems to be an issue of deeper water collection, potentially mixed with some sort of pathogen. I’ve heard good things about KFC dips and also a mention or two of freshwater dips. The freshwater dip is what did my last one in so if it happens this time, I’m just gonna wait it out or do something like a KFC dip. I’d love some pics! These are by far, my favorite coral in the hobby.