Did you know zooxanthellae eat cyanobacteria, non-cyano bateria, algae? Coral have been fed brine shrimp? They eat DOCs, including plastic particles, stuff released from macroalgae?
part 1 feeding of zooxanthellae http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2014/11/aafeature
part 2 feeding coral http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2015/2/aafeature
overall sources of food:
photosynthesis ~70% (simple sugars)
zooplankton ~18%
dissolved organics/bacteria ~22%
so regularly feed your corals a banquet, but make sure to clean up afterwards
At least some Symbiodinium species can ingest and assimilate bacteria, cyanobacteria, and algae.
Small polyp stony corals can ingest particles ranging in size from 0.45 m to ~400 m and perhaps larger (see Figure 26.)
SPS corals can ingest and assimilate bacteria, green algae, dinoflagellates, ciliates, and larger zooplankton.
Organic phosphorus (bound in bacteria tissue) is the preferred phosphate source (as opposed to dissolved reactive phosphate.)
Some algae often grown in aquaria (Halimeda and Caulerpa) release carbohydrates (sugar) that be absorbed by corals. Glucose is the preferred sugar of some Fungia specimens.
Ammonium is preferentially absorbed by corals. Nitrate is also absorbed.
Fish poop is a potential source of nitrogen and phosphorus.
Urea (from fishes, and a source of nitrogen) can be absorbed.
Some corals are host to nitrogen-fixing bacteria (can use atmospheric N2). These are a source of nutriment when they die (or are consumed.)
Amino acids (either combined or free) can be a nitrogen source.
part 1 feeding of zooxanthellae http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2014/11/aafeature
part 2 feeding coral http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2015/2/aafeature
overall sources of food:
photosynthesis ~70% (simple sugars)
zooplankton ~18%
dissolved organics/bacteria ~22%
so regularly feed your corals a banquet, but make sure to clean up afterwards
At least some Symbiodinium species can ingest and assimilate bacteria, cyanobacteria, and algae.
Small polyp stony corals can ingest particles ranging in size from 0.45 m to ~400 m and perhaps larger (see Figure 26.)
SPS corals can ingest and assimilate bacteria, green algae, dinoflagellates, ciliates, and larger zooplankton.
Organic phosphorus (bound in bacteria tissue) is the preferred phosphate source (as opposed to dissolved reactive phosphate.)
Some algae often grown in aquaria (Halimeda and Caulerpa) release carbohydrates (sugar) that be absorbed by corals. Glucose is the preferred sugar of some Fungia specimens.
Ammonium is preferentially absorbed by corals. Nitrate is also absorbed.
Fish poop is a potential source of nitrogen and phosphorus.
Urea (from fishes, and a source of nitrogen) can be absorbed.
Some corals are host to nitrogen-fixing bacteria (can use atmospheric N2). These are a source of nutriment when they die (or are consumed.)
Amino acids (either combined or free) can be a nitrogen source.
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