Knobby Sea Rod Care Guide
Eunicea succinea, the knobby sea rod, is a hardy Caribbean photosynthetic gorgonian with thick stems and sparse branches for high-flow marine tanks.
Overview
Eunicea succinea is a Caribbean photosynthetic gorgonian, an octocoral known as the knobby sea rod. It forms thick stems with sparse branching and, like other gorgonians, is a colony of polyps each bearing eight pinnate tentacles. It is regarded as relatively hardy in the aquarium.
Taxonomy
- Family: Plexauridae
- Genus: Eunicea
- Scientific name: Eunicea succinea (Pallas, 1766)
- Class: Octocorallia; Order: Malacalcyonacea
- WoRMS AphiaID: 283262 (accepted)
Habitat and biology
The species occurs on Caribbean reefs. It is zooxanthellate, relying largely on photosynthetic symbionts while also capturing plankton with its polyps. As a flexible branched gorgonian, it favours water with strong currents.
Aquarium care
Eunicea succinea is a passive, reef-, shrimp- and fish-safe coral suited to intermediate keepers. Its photosynthetic biology means strong light is not required, but it needs high flow to remain clean. It is best added to an established tank of at least about three months.
Tank requirements
- Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-79 °F)
- Salinity: 1.024-1.026 SG
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- Alkalinity (dKH): 8-11
- Calcium: 380-450 ppm; Magnesium: 1280-1350 ppm
- Nitrate: ≤15 ppm; Phosphate: ≤0.1 ppm
- Lighting: 75-175 PAR (medium); Flow: high
- Growth rate: 0.3-0.8 cm per month (tree-like)
Feeding
In addition to photosynthesis, supplemental amino acids and phytoplankton support the colony, which filters these foods from the water column.