Coral feeding
Corals feed on light (zooxanthellae) and particulate food (phytoplankton, zooplankton, amino acids). Direct feeding improves growth and colours.
Detailed explanation
Corals have two sources of nutrition: light (through symbiotic zooxanthellae) and the capture of food particles with their tentacles.
Most of the energy (80-90%) comes from photosynthesis of zooxanthellae. The remaining 10-20% comes from catching food.
Direct feeding (target feeding) significantly improves growth and colours. A syringe or turkey baster is used to place food near the polyps.
The most used foods are: powdered coral foods (Reef-Roids, Coral Frenzy), amino acids (Acropower, Red Sea Reef Energy), finely chopped frozen mysis for LPS, phytoplankton for filter-feeding corals.
LPS corals (Euphyllia, Favia, Acanthastrea) particularly benefit from direct feeding. Many will accept bits of mysis placed on their tentacles.
SPS feed primarily on light but respond well to amino acids and suspended powdered coral foods.
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