Nice photos, especially that first one of the gorgonia. The "lollicup" is actually a tunicate and in my experience, they aren't hardy. If yours should die (hopefully it won't), I recommend not getting these guys anymore.
Make sure you give your Xmas corals plenty of light and current. The only way the worms will stay alive is if the Porites they are embedded in stay alive. Unfortunately, the big picture/colony looks like most of the Porites coral has died off already. Hopefully some of it can recover (I've seen seemingly dead Porite skeleton come back to life in the proper environment).
Len, they only survive if the coral they are living in is alive?!... *contemplates*
Ok then, I must bring this forward, since its been eating at me after seeing that pic and after what you said...
I saw three red X-mas tree worms living on a peice of florida rock. There was no coral in sight, and Im pretty sure the rock really wasnt dead coral skeletons (like my rock) fused to rock and stuff, but I could be wrong on that one... This was in a dealer's tank a good while ago...
Your thoughts?
Different species. There's a bunch of Sabellidae species. The type we see intermingled with Porites are said to be dependant on the Porites mucus for survival ... one of nature's many neat symbiosis.
ah... that porities rock was just brought back from the wholesalers, and then i sold it to one of my customers. but i hear that it has completely recovered and turning green. as far as the tunicate, even tho i' ve got a green thumb when it comes to "hard-to-keep" animals...i don't own one. this pic was taken at my previous job at octopuss' garden.
yeah probably. since i was the only girl who worked there. so what did u guys think of the place?? i know ron is always wanting to hear customer feedback. and i always ask what the customers would like to see differently (or better).