Coral Nutrition: An Introduction, Care And Feeding Of Zooxanthellae

This series is a much needed update to articles originally prepared in 1991, and published in Freshwater and Marine Aquariums (FAMA) in 1993 and 1994. At that time, the necessity of feeding by marine invertebrates was a hotly debated issue. Although research scientists had established that symbiotic algae (Symbiodinium spp.) could the supply most if not all of the daily carbon requirements of the invertebrate host, this was construed by many to mean that feeding wasn’t necessary, hence the necessity supplemental feeding of corals in captivity was much in doubt by many.

Feeding captive animals stirs a primal response within us, and we realize this at an early age. I fondly recall visits to the Atlanta zoo when I was a child and how I wanted to buy a small package of fish to feed the seals held in captivity there. A careful aim and throw delivered a fish into the tank and I imagined I squealed with delight when the torpedo-like seal gobbled up his lunch. Sharing of food gives us a positive feeling and provides health to the recipient. This feeling follows us into later years. Dating …read more

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