Gomer4378
Aquarium Advice Activist
I read somewhere that there are some corals and inverts that you should not expose to air. Which ones and why not?
Coral question?
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Gomer4378
Aquarium Advice Activist
so with the exeption of those 2 most any coral can withstand a brief period of air exposure?
Kurt_Nelson
Aquarium Advice Addict
The two that melosu mentioned are the only ones that come to my mind. Not saying there aren't more, but as far as "normal" coral you'll find available for sale, they can deal with air exposure for a bit.
Things you want to watch for though are some of the LPS corals that have very "puffy" tissue, with lots of expansion. You want to make sure the tissue has retracted as much as possible before taking them out of water. If you don't, the weight of the water in the tissue will possibly cause the tissue to tear on the skeleton. Any tear or cut is a possible infection source... just like us. You can normally deflate an inflated coral by either causing some water current over it with your hand, or gently touching it (with rubber gloves) to get it to retract.
My seriatopora (birdnest) and stylophora get a good breath of air for about 5 minutes max, every week when I do a water change.
Things you want to watch for though are some of the LPS corals that have very "puffy" tissue, with lots of expansion. You want to make sure the tissue has retracted as much as possible before taking them out of water. If you don't, the weight of the water in the tissue will possibly cause the tissue to tear on the skeleton. Any tear or cut is a possible infection source... just like us. You can normally deflate an inflated coral by either causing some water current over it with your hand, or gently touching it (with rubber gloves) to get it to retract.
My seriatopora (birdnest) and stylophora get a good breath of air for about 5 minutes max, every week when I do a water change.
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Gomer4378
Aquarium Advice Activist
Thank You all,
I was just wanting to be prepared, It's a lot of money to throw down the drain for not handling something properly.
I was just wanting to be prepared, It's a lot of money to throw down the drain for not handling something properly.
Wy Renegade
Aquarium Advice Addict
Can't speak to the others - although I believe that sponges are correct for no air exposure - but I've fragged several species of gorgonia (at least the photosynthetic ones) and there is no issue there with exposure to air. After clipping them, I remove them from the water, strip the base with a pair of wire strippers and insert into superglue gel. Then back into the tank.
Be aware that most websites or retailers that sell live animals will provide a warning that encompass a number of animals to avoid liability. The only animals I am aware of that are sensitive to air exposure are sponges and according to Shimek, sea urchins (extended period). I have exposed numerous bivalves, sea urchins, gorgonians, and sea stars without incidence and the real concern lies within their acclimation (salinity, pH, temperature).
ccCapt
SW 20 & Over Club
Here's a few pics of crocea's at low tide. Exposure to the air is not a problem.
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