Ricordea F

FAQs about Genus Ricordea Corallimorphs

Ricordea brown slime 11/23/14
Hi my name is mike and I just got 2 rocks with neon orange Ricordeas on it they have been in my tank for a couple of days now and when I looked at them today some of them have this brown mucus coming out of there mouth is this normal or is there something I can do to help then
<Mmm; can be "normal" for Corallimorpharians to produce mucus... or not. What else is in this system? How long up and going... water tests? Have you searched on WWM? Bob Fenner>
re: Ricordea brown slime 11/24/14
My ph is low
<......>
and my nitrites are 40 ppm
<No... keep reading. B>
and my phosphates are 0.25 the tank has been up and running 4 months everything else is zeros across the board

Attn: Bob Fenner. Help w/ filling out import-allowance form, Australia, for Ricordea florida 2/25/14
Hi Bob,
<Chris>
I was hoping you would be able to assist me.
<Let's see>
I propagate Ricordea Yuma in Western Australia.
<Interesting... Have a friend, industry acquaintance (Dick Perrin, Tropicorium) who built his business on the Florida congener... And am generally familiar w/ issues of the use of ornamentals; clean list/s there>
I believe in trying to provide aquarium enthusiasts with a good supply of coral without raping the reefs.
<We are definitely in agreement>
Although my business is small every bit helps.
In Australia majority of the Ricordeas are found in Queensland.
<Yes>
Most of the quality Ricordeas found on Australian reefs go overseas along with a lot of the other rare coral as that is where the best market is.
Should a rare Ricordea get to the retail sector it usually stops there and goes into the shops show tanks.
<A matter of simple economics likely... There are parallels w/ fancy goldfish, marine angels and more... gravitating toward countries/markets that pay better, more assuredly>
I have been propagating for about 4 years now selling to people across Australia.
<Ah good. If I may; do you utilize some techniques; e.g. tools for cutting through siphonoglyphs... that you might share (that you don't consider proprietary) with our/WWM readers?>
I have made a few contacts with people overseas who propagate both Ricordea Yuma and Ricordea Florida.
Both companies that propagate are happy to assist and supply me with Ricordeas of both species.
<Ah good>
I have decided to try and get some of the quality Ricordeas back to Australia.
Currently it is illegal to import the Ricordea Florida into Australia however I have spoken to Fisheries and they are happy to look at my proposal when I submit one.
<I have read through the form you attached; for applying>
Although rare there are some Ricordea Florida spread across Australia and they are highly sort <sought> after.
Western Australia Fisheries have given me a list of questions asking me to write a report.
Unfortunately I have not been able to find much information in either books or on the internet.
Writing reports is definitely not my area of expertise.
I would have thought your staff would have written many reports similar to the one I require and possibly one relating to Ricordea.
<Heeeeee! Ah my friend. I don't have; have never had staff. We are a group of coming/going volunteers>
Do you have anyone there that would be able to assist or at least know of someone I could contact for assistance.
I have attached a copy of what is required.
Thank you
Chris Murphy
<Let's you and I go back/forth with the parts you can't find good/reliable-accurate input for. What specifically are you looking for on this form? Not all. Bob Fenner>

Ricordea Florida all "jumping ship"? Old-enough set up, changed lights, added Xeniid...    4/24/13
Hello I have a soft coral reef aquarium where I have had some (when I say some I mean tons) Ricordea florida in. They have been very happy for 3+ years and have created many babies all over the tank as they meandered their way around it. One and a half months ago I got a new Ecoxotic Panorama LED fixture. I started with it set low and slowly increased the light to get everyone hopefully accustomed. All my other soft corals and mushrooms are happy. My Ricordea all appeared content until about 3 days ago... The two "originals" were the first to start. First they made all this mucus at their base and let go. Now all their "kids" are following suit. No water parameters have changed at all. I added a new waving hands Xenia,
<This could be "it", or even the Corallimorpharians>
but it wasn't even near them.
<Doesn't have to be. Chemical allelopathy can be profound, even in a large system>
I have moved the "originals" and a few of their oldest "children" to my refugium to see if they will reattach but seem disinterested.
<Have to be in an entirely different system>
:( Could this still be light stress even though I've had the light over a month and slowly increased the light over the first month I had it?
<Not at all likely the lighting>
Is there some sort of Ricordea mass exodus occurring here?
<Yes; a survival mechanism for cases/circumstances when there's a need to move elsewhere (too much of something or not enough)>
Is the apocalypse at hand and only the Ricordea know?
<Heeeee! A possibility. At their scale and from their "point of view", yes>
Thanks for your help!
<See WWM re Xeniid and 'Shroom compatibility and allelopathy. Bob Fenner>
Re: Ricordea Florida all "jumping ship"?     4/24/13
Thanks for your reply. So would it makes sense then that they were fine
with my pulsing pom/pom Xenia and they are not ok with the waving hands?
<Could be either, both or even neither involved here... "Cascade" events where something happens w/ established systems, mixes of Cnidarian groups are quite common... w/ concurrent winners and losers. BobF>
Re: Ricordea Florida all "jumping ship"?     4/24/13
guess best way is to try removing suspects until one is found. I moved my "original" Ricordeas to my 30G quarantine which luckily is set up right now holding my friend's fish while he moves.
<Ah, good>
So they're at least protected while I use their "children" as guinea pigs... Anything that, other than trying to figure out / remove the "naughty" one, that I can do to help the Ricordea heal/be happy again?
<Oh yes... check, raise RedOx, dose iodide-ate... B<>
Re: Ricordea Florida all "jumping ship"? Teased Shroom beh. (predictable)     5/5/13
So this is weird. I removed the "adult" Ricordea florida and was all set to start trials of removing this and that to figure out who is making everyone mad... and then all the jumping stopped.
<Not weird>
The "adults" reattached to some rubble in the quarantine and now that there hasn't been any jumping for a week I moved them back and everyone appears happy again. Which brings me to a theory that I want to jump off you.
<Okay>
About 2 weeks before it all started there was one big Ricordea near the top of my live rock, I didn't want it there - wanted to put the Xenia there actually, teased it off
<? How?>
and moved it to some rubble in the refugium awaiting gifting to a friend (human not Ricordea friend :P). The cease in jumping also coincides with the gifting away of said naughty Ricordea. Can Ricordea communicate distress to one another and actually stimulate their "kids" to jump ship?
<Of a certainty, yes. Bob Fenner>

Yuma dying? Maybe the city, but a Corallimorph as well in this case 5/15/06 thanks for reading my question! I bought a purple yuma on a branch awhile back, and today I noticed what I thought was feeding behavior.... it had stretched its mouth to almost half an inch wide (total width about 1.5 inches) and I could see all of its innards..... this happened while I was feeding the tank, so I put a shrimp piece on its mouth and a while later I noticed a slime emanating from the mouth all over the shrimp (frozen variety).... thought this might be gastric juices or something..... so now I go back for another look and the mouth is still open as far, and the rim looks to be dissolving, so I'm thinking this is not good...... all water parameters are fine, and I have no problems with other tank mates (various shroomies and an anchor coral plus a coral beauty and a few Chromis, and the normal DFS algae attack pack plus a Mithrax crab) Is it going or is it gone? Dan <... Please read here: http://wetwebmedia.com/corallim.htm and the linked files at top. Not a good idea to "feed" as you state, have done... Bob Fenner>

Corallimorphs/Ricordea 1/20/06 Thanks for that advice James,<You're welcome> I'll give it a try over the weekend, will let you know how it all goes. Just a quick question though: Are either the Corallimorphs or Ricordea Poisonous to dogs? Just need to know if I have to lock my huskies out while I have the coral out on the floor or not. They get very inquisitive about my fish stuff. <I've heard that some Corallimorpharians can cause a nasty burn when touched and without knowing what you have I can't answer the question. Ricordea florida belongs to the same order (Corallimorpharians) but is only toxic to other corals. James (Salty Dog)> Thanks <You're welcome> Amanda

RICORDEA QUESTION 7/29/04 Hello WWM crew! <Hi Dennis, MacL here with you this evening.> I have a quick question. I purchased 4 great blue Ricordea polyps on a reputable online store. They arrived today and seems to be in good shape. But I noticed that there was a small (about 1 inch long) strip of Ricordea flesh just floating about in the delivery bag. Should I place this small piece of Ricordea into the tank as well or should I just throw away the small piece? <Personally I would try to attach it to something.> Will that piece regenerate into a full polyp or is it a dying piece that will pollute the water (increase nitrites/ammonia)? <I always try to give tiny pieces of things a chance. However if your tank is very tiny it might be best to not take the chance.> Thank you very very much for all your help, guys! -Dennis

Florida Ricordea Hello, I am hoping you can answer my question or at least guide me in the right direction. I am looking for a wholesaler that sales Ricordea. I am looking to buy several polyps to start a propagation system solely for as many different colors of Ricordea I can possibly find. Any help in locating one will be greatly appreciated. <I'd give Dick Perrin at Tropicorium, http://www.tropicorium.com/ a call/visit. Bob Fenner>

Follow Up (visit in Sing., looking for Ricordea floridae and Tridacnids) Hi Bob <Edwin!> Nice meeting you the other day. I trust that you have by now rested from the trip. <Yes... somewhat. Thank you again for taking the time to share with us re your business> Anyway, below are my contact information, please forward these to the Ricordea culture and also if possible a clam jobber/wholesaler. <Am going to first cc Barry Neigut (the gentleman I mentioned who owns, operates ClamsDirect(.com) for his input. He's coming over for lunch and chatting this very day> Been looking for real show grade stuff for quite some time already. Can get at least 100 Ricos polyps or 200 clams at one go, if they are real show stuff. <Amazing> Name: Edwin Lam Contact number: +65 98582018 Email: lamcy@i2r.a-star.edu.sg Thanks for the help and do let me know if you are dropping by in the region again. <Will do so. Hello to Perry. Bob Fenner> Best Rgds Edwin Lam

Ricordea propagation Hello Crew, I have searched high and low and cannot find what I'm looking for. In Anthony's book, he describes in detail Corallimorph propagation. Though he does explain the difference between Discosoma, Rhodactis, and Ricordea, the book does not distinguish between these when speaking of propagation. <There is no difference, my friend... I show pictures in my presentations and lectures of doing this to a $200 rose anemone (E. quadricolor)... you can do it with your Corallimorphs> I have had great success with cutting and "pie shaping" my Discosoma, though everyone I have spoken to has told me I cannot do this with my Ricordea or Rhodactis. <Heehee... "everyone" is mistaken here then <G>. Limited experience/// healthy fear (especially for how expensive some of those Ricordea are <G>). No worries... the only limitation is that Ricordea as higher light lower organismal-feeding animals must be in healthier condition from Go as they cannot be fed easily after words and supported if they take the imposed technique hard> Could you elaborate on how I would go about propagating these? Thanks a ton. Rob <Exactly as you have done for your Discosoma... they are fundamentally the same. Kind regards, Anthony

Ricordea farming - 3/03/03 Hi Paul <Hello again> > <Nice. Do you know if these are farmed?> No idea if they are farmed or not.  But it was written in their website at $25 per polyp.  Hefty prices but very nice brilliant colours. <Agreed based on the picture you showed me.> I went through the links, but am still very confused <How so? The links were to give you a few ideas for application and about the needs of Ricordea>(actually I read the links before I emailed you). Ok, here are the details of my plan. <cool> I have a staircase leading from my upper story apartment leading downwards.  Everyday when I move up and down the stairs, I will look DOWN onto a empty space next to the stairs.  (Hence a tub and not a regular tank).
<Still, why not a tank so that when you get down those stairs you will see beautiful Ricordea from the side too? <VBG> Be sure to use a tub deemed aquatic safe so as to not leech chemical residue to your inhabitants>  I was thinking of utilizing this space to create a nice "colourful flowerpot".  The Ricordea seems to fit the requirements well, at least look-wise. <Agreed. Even hardier if from propagated stock>  I was hoping to propagate these so this will essentially be a propagation setup that has the additional benefit of looking nice :)
<Ahhh! Very good> Tank description, outdoor section about 3ft (L) by 2 ft (B) by 1.5ft (H).  Ricordeas will be about 1ft deep in the water.  I am concerned about "burning" the Rics as all descriptions suggest that I avoid MH. <Yes>  Now, the outdoor area is very heavily lighted  for 4 hours a day by the tropical sun, during these 4 hours, I expect the light intensity at water surface to rival MHs.
<Probably better than MHs but four hours might not be all bad. Will still need more "daylight" for these corals. What kind of supplementation light will you use? Actinics alone will not suffice>
Will this "burn" the ricos at the proposed depth? <Well, there is potential. Anthony Calfo may know a little more about this as he has used natural sunlight for his propagation farm. I will forward this to him as well for his take on the proposed setup> How about I place a sheet of glass overhead to dampen some of the light intensity?
<Yeah, maybe a screen might do the trick or a lightly tinted plastic sheet> The outdoor tank will be partially cooled by some fan units.  In addition, I will plumb it to a sump that is placed in the shade and the sump will be cooled to about 26 deg by a chiller.
<A chiller, eh? Pretty expensive in my book. Seems like a lot of equipment, expense, and work for a Ricordea only prop tank>
Properly sized "needle wheel" skimmer will be used.  I will do freshwater top-ups daily to maintain salinity.
<I assume all normal water maintenance will apply. Not so necessary to heavy skim here. Ricordea can take and will accept small pieces of foodstuffs such as pureed Mysid and krill are readily accepted.> As for fish, well, I can throw in a mated pair of my maroon clowns presently sited in my other tank.  I originally do not want to keep any fishes in this tank as I do not want another tank to "feed".  But I did read that ricos do better with some DO in the water.
<Agreed here as well. These fish you mentioned should be fine. Will add a bit of food for the Ricordea as well> Please do comment and let me know if my plans are reasonable.
<Well, not sure about the chiller, or sump. I agree it is necessary to maintain temperature just not sure if a chiller is the right way to go based on expense. Too many variables involved with the natural sunlight warming the water then chilling water? Hmmm.....maybe Anthony will have more insight. Otherwise, I think this is a very expensive, and equipment reliant way to go. A tank with a heater and PC lighting in a simple glass tank would easily cost less than a chiller and sump. Add a deep bed of oolitic sand and a good amount of live rock (for filtration) and it will look really nice and cost a little less if not the same as the chiller alone (figuring that the dimensions you gave me roughly comes out to about 67 gallons that would need chilling which would require a pretty good size chiller) So I would go with a 50 gallon aquarium with 50 pounds of live rock, no sump, a hang on the back skimmer, PC lighting along the lines to fit the aquarium size and depth, a heater, and place in the house. Now this is a very moot point if there is just no room in the house. Heheheh (thus the reason it is outside) but in any event I think this a very expensive way to go with too many variables to remain stable over the long haul. Anthony???>
Joey

Question about Ricordea Cheers, Paul... <Goo' day mate> Hmmm... not sure what to say here. I agree with your reply indeed.
<Cool. Just wanted to make sure I was on the right track.>
I don't believe I can add anything of use in the short forum of an e-mail.
<Totally agreed!>
This fellow needs to read and research a lot more before he asks more questions.
<alas, most do>
Otherwise, you and I will waste a lot of time on him at the expense of many other people we could be helping just because he hasn't done his homework.
<Understood> Your protocol is cool, bud... do e-mail a fellow crew member always if you need help.
<very well. I just wasn't sure how to go about getting second answers to replied emails. Especially if they are to be posted. In other words, I am fairly sure this email (between you and I) should not be posted, but sometimes I see there are two answers to the same email in various FAQs. So, I thought, maybe this was a case for that. Anyway, if I answered it well, then there is no need for a follow up. Got it.>
But you don't want to engage/drag in others for someone who is too "early" in the game (polite way of saying hasn't helped himself).
<Understood>
There is tons of info on the 'Net about Ricordea propagation. There are entire forums now just for coral farmers on the big message boards... this fellow just needs to spend a little more time in the books and visiting local/regional aquarists and aquarium societies to see the plumbing in action.
<Yeah, that is what I thought. I too, am still so new to this. Not sure how to identify a lack/laziness of general knowledge and how to tell them to come back later. Let alone how far I should go before I am either sounding full of shit or confusing them even more so that they are sending 20 more emails to follow up responses, if you catch my drift. As time goes on I suppose I will get better. I just don't want the rest of the crew to think I am some dope and I hope you (the rest of WW crew) will critique me directly if I am way out of line. =} I can take it.> Thanks bub :)
<Thank you. Are you coming to San Diego soon?>

Keeping Ricordea - 3/03/03 Hi guys <Hi Joey. Paul here> I am thinking of ordering some Ricos from Dr. Mac. <Nice. Do you know if these are farmed?> I have attached something I liked very much but am not sure what are the requirements of these lovely creatures. <I keep my orange very high in my tank with Power Compact lighting, greens about mid way, and my blues a bit lower not quite at the bottom> I will like to build a tank catered solely for these creatures. <nice idea. Very beautiful. GARF also has quite a selection. I have mine with some various beautifully colored Zoanthids> I am hoping to keep bright orange and the bright blue ones. <Should not be a problem. Slightly different than typical Corallimorpharia. See here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/corallim.htm and here: http://www.garf.org/ricord/ricord.html>Is it advisable to keep these with some fishes? <Definitely possible. Just stay away from the polyp eating sorts. Look through various sites (ours is a good start) and books to help identify said fishes> Right now I am thinking of keeping these in a shallow tub <No tank?> about one and a half feet deep under direct sun. Supplemented by actinics fluorescent.<Why not a tank? Direct sun? Probably should be fine but curious why not a tank setup? What about heat? How will you control/manage thermal changes? (hot and cold) What type of filtration methods will you employ? Live rock? Sand? Others? Just curious about your setup. Hope the previous links help and good luck> Many thanks in advance. Joey

Ricordea yuma.. melting? 9/22/05 Hi, <Hello> I have recently acquired a Ricordea yuma and I've noticed some translucent mush/goo near its foot. Is it melting away? Any hope of saving it? It hasn't expanded fully but it still seems responsive i.e. it curls up into a ball during lights off and uncurls itself once lights are back on. Thanks in advance. Tiffany <Please read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/corallim.htm and the linked files above... re Corallimorph Behavior, Systems, Feeding, Disease... Bob Fenner>

Ricordea Bob, You're right, Ricordea it is! Having done a bit more research now, looks like I got a little jewel of a prize. They are kind of purple and green with an almost fluorescent green middle. <Gorgeous animals> I have a couple of halves and two that are over an inch in diameter. All but one have attached themselves to the section of rock I put them on. I think the last will be attached when I get home tonight. They are in a section that has some current, but not a whole lot. At first, I set them on the rock and they would just gently hover and move in the current. And as far as light, they are in the middle of the tank (vertically speaking) and I currently have 220w of PC and 40w NO. Planning to add more as I get critters that need more. Does that sound like a good place for them? <Yes> Thanks for helping me figure that one out. :-)Misty <You're welcome. Be chatting. Bob Fenner>

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