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Coral Guide |  |
Family: Dendrophyllidae (Stony Corals)
Habitat: Generally found in shallower reef areas with sandy bottoms.
Light: Medium Water Flow: Medium Space: 10+ gal.
Reef Safe: Yes Care Level: Moderate Temperament: Caution
Diet: These corals have zooxanthellae which provide much of their nutrition. It is believed they also feed on microzooplankton and directly absorb some nutrients from the water.
Natural History: The Walking Dendro has a symbiotic association with a sipunculid or peanut worm which lives inside the folded body of this coral polyp. The worm maintains a channel to the sediment at the base of the polyp and by extending and feeding in the sediment below, moves the polyp from place to place.
Husbandry: The Walking Dendro will contact other corals as it moves, with potentially negative side effects. A single specimen may reach 2 inches in width. This species should be provided a deep sand base so that the worm has a medium to feed from.