The Fragmentation of Nephthea (1) and Propagation of Euphyllia parancora (1) in Tank 72
In tank 72 an unidentified brown anemone has overtaken the tank by occupying most of the available space. Although there is an abundance of Nephthea, it has not been able to outcompete this anemone effectively. By fragmenting the Nephthea, more available space will be created for the propagation of Euphyllia paradivisa. The E. paradivisa has the potential and ability to harm and outcompete the anemone (through use of its long sweeping tentacles) and ultimately thrive in tank 72 (1).
I. Introduction
Nephthea is categorized as a soft coral, meaning that it lacks the hard limestone skeleton that is present in hard corals (2). Rather, its skeleton is formed by a supporting “stem” that consist of fleshy tissue that is reinforced by many microscopic calcareous particles, known as sclerites (2). The sclerites (usually irregular, spindle, or caterpillar-like) do not project when the polyp is closed (3). Most soft corals have spicules, while others release toxins through their outreaching tentacles in order to defend themselves from predators (3). Nephthea is no different, this genus is one of the more toxic genera of soft corals in regards to their chemical defenses (1). This genus produces some of the most diverse and unusually compounds of all soft corals (1). Beside the toxicity of Nephthea, like most soft corals it is able to grow rapidly because it does not form a calcium carbonate skeleton (2). Although Nephthea has many techniques in order to combat other corals, it appears that the unidentified brown anemone in tank 72 has grown immune to these techniques, so it is now necessary that a new aggressive coral is introduced. By introducing an aggressive hard coral, it might combat the overgrowth of the unidentified brown anemone. Corals must arm themselves to fend off anyone else who wants to live where they live, use their light and take their flow of food; by introducing Euphyllia parancora it’s aggressive tendencies will fend off the unidentified anemone (4). E. parancora is a phaceloid branching coral with T-shaped or anchor-shaped polyp tips that extend from the end of each branch (1). E. paradivisa is categorized as a large polyp stony, or LPS, (4). LPS differ from SPS (small polyp stony) because, for some unknown reason, their sting is more deadly (4). LPS sting is delivered mainly by long sweeper tentacles that mobilise on demand, and stretch much further than standard polyps (4). These tentacles are long and flowing and usually extend fully during the day and especially at night; making them major threats during the evening (1). After anemones, LPS corals have the most powerful stings of aquarium corals and the most aggressive tendencies, making them major competitors on the reef (4). Few corals and anemones can survive an aggressive attack implemented by the corals from this genus (1). In order to allow E. parancora expand rapidly they should be placed in areas of the tank where the multiple parameters of water flow, lighting, and passing food sources are optimal (1). E. paradivisa, in contrast to Nephthea, has not yet grown in tank 72, so the unidentified brown anemone is not immune to this coral’s defenses; this will allow the E. parancora to outcompete the anemone.
II. Questions 1. When the Nephthea is propagated, and placed in other tanks, will its methods of competition fair better than in tank 72?
2. What will be the brown anemone’s way to defend itself against the E. parancora, if at all possible?
3. Will the E. parancora use growth, toxins, or both to outcompete the anemone(6)? 4. Has the unidentified brown anemone become immune to the Nephthea toxins(7)? 5. In addition to a new and combative coral, what other biological or chemical controls can be added to tank 72 to challenge the brown anemone’s growth? III. Hypothesis By first fragmenting the Nephthea from tank 72, the later introduction and propagation of E. parancora will outcompete the unidentified brown anemone for space.
IV. Design of Research In order to successfully propagate Nephthea from tank 72, proper fragging techniques will be used which will better help the introduction of such corals into another tank. E. parancora will be introduced to the tank to outcompete the overgrowth of the invasive brown anemone. Coral growth will be measured by using a ruler and an Expo marker to draw tick marks in order to record the heights on the tank. Measurements will also be taken of the recession of the brown anemone. V. Schedule Observations will be recorded daily in the afternoon throughout every week on a sheet of paper outlining such observations. These daily observations include temperature, salinity, and pH in addition to general observations about tank 72 and the project thus far. In order to determine how much the corals have grown, Expo marker will be used to draw lines on the tank to measure the growth both daily and weekly. The fragmenting techniques and the frequency of such will be taught and found out in tutorial. Expo marker will also be used in order to record the recession of the brown anemone; this observation will be taken both daily and weekly for optimum results(8). VI. Supplies and Equipment (5) · 72 gallon tank · Sump · Chiller · Power heads · Hydrometer · Temperature gauge · pH test kit · Expo marker · Ruler · Water change kit · Protein skimmer · Propagating tools · Fragging tools · Coral plugs · Seashells or live rock · Glue or putty
In tank 72 an unidentified brown anemone has overtaken the tank by occupying most of the available space. Although there is an abundance of Nephthea, it has not been able to outcompete this anemone effectively. By fragmenting the Nephthea, more available space will be created for the propagation of Euphyllia paradivisa. The E. paradivisa has the potential and ability to harm and outcompete the anemone (through use of its long sweeping tentacles) and ultimately thrive in tank 72 (1).
I. Introduction
Nephthea is categorized as a soft coral, meaning that it lacks the hard limestone skeleton that is present in hard corals (2). Rather, its skeleton is formed by a supporting “stem” that consist of fleshy tissue that is reinforced by many microscopic calcareous particles, known as sclerites (2). The sclerites (usually irregular, spindle, or caterpillar-like) do not project when the polyp is closed (3). Most soft corals have spicules, while others release toxins through their outreaching tentacles in order to defend themselves from predators (3). Nephthea is no different, this genus is one of the more toxic genera of soft corals in regards to their chemical defenses (1). This genus produces some of the most diverse and unusually compounds of all soft corals (1). Beside the toxicity of Nephthea, like most soft corals it is able to grow rapidly because it does not form a calcium carbonate skeleton (2). Although Nephthea has many techniques in order to combat other corals, it appears that the unidentified brown anemone in tank 72 has grown immune to these techniques, so it is now necessary that a new aggressive coral is introduced.
By introducing an aggressive hard coral, it might combat the overgrowth of the unidentified brown anemone. Corals must arm themselves to fend off anyone else who wants to live where they live, use their light and take their flow of food; by introducing Euphyllia parancora it’s aggressive tendencies will fend off the unidentified anemone (4). E. parancora is a phaceloid branching coral with T-shaped or anchor-shaped polyp tips that extend from the end of each branch (1).
E. paradivisa is categorized as a large polyp stony, or LPS, (4). LPS differ from SPS (small polyp stony) because, for some unknown reason, their sting is more deadly (4). LPS sting is delivered mainly by long sweeper tentacles that mobilise on demand, and stretch much further than standard polyps (4). These tentacles are long and flowing and usually extend fully during the day and especially at night; making them major threats during the evening (1). After anemones, LPS corals have the most powerful stings of aquarium corals and the most aggressive tendencies, making them major competitors on the reef (4). Few corals and anemones can survive an aggressive attack implemented by the corals from this genus (1).
In order to allow E. parancora expand rapidly they should be placed in areas of the tank where the multiple parameters of water flow, lighting, and passing food sources are optimal (1). E. paradivisa, in contrast to Nephthea, has not yet grown in tank 72, so the unidentified brown anemone is not immune to this coral’s defenses; this will allow the E. parancora to outcompete the anemone.
II. Questions
1. When the Nephthea is propagated, and placed in other tanks, will its methods of competition fair better than in tank 72?
2. What will be the brown anemone’s way to defend itself against the E. parancora, if at all possible?
3. Will the E. parancora use growth, toxins, or both to outcompete the anemone(6)?
4. Has the unidentified brown anemone become immune to the Nephthea toxins(7)?
5. In addition to a new and combative coral, what other biological or chemical controls can be added to tank 72 to challenge the brown anemone’s growth?
III. Hypothesis
By first fragmenting the Nephthea from tank 72, the later introduction and propagation of E. parancora will outcompete the unidentified brown anemone for space.
IV. Design of Research
In order to successfully propagate Nephthea from tank 72, proper fragging techniques will be used which will better help the introduction of such corals into another tank. E. parancora will be introduced to the tank to outcompete the overgrowth of the invasive brown anemone. Coral growth will be measured by using a ruler and an Expo marker to draw tick marks in order to record the heights on the tank. Measurements will also be taken of the recession of the brown anemone.
V. Schedule
Observations will be recorded daily in the afternoon throughout every week on a sheet of paper outlining such observations. These daily observations include temperature, salinity, and pH in addition to general observations about tank 72 and the project thus far. In order to determine how much the corals have grown, Expo marker will be used to draw lines on the tank to measure the growth both daily and weekly. The fragmenting techniques and the frequency of such will be taught and found out in tutorial. Expo marker will also be used in order to record the recession of the brown anemone; this observation will be taken both daily and weekly for optimum results(8).
VI. Supplies and Equipment (5)
· 72 gallon tank
· Sump
· Chiller
· Power heads
· Hydrometer
· Temperature gauge
· pH test kit
· Expo marker
· Ruler
· Water change kit
· Protein skimmer
· Propagating tools
· Fragging tools
· Coral plugs
· Seashells or live rock
· Glue or putty