Cavernularia obesa

(Milne Edwards & Haime, 1850)

Sea Pen

Range: Tropical and subtropical Indo-Pacific Ocean.

Natural Environment: Found in soft sand and muddy bottom areas.

General Husbandry: Requires a deep sandbed, with 4 inches (10 cm) the minimum for new small specimens, and 8 - 10 inches (20 - 25 cm) for larger specimens, along with a shady place receiving moderate water flow.

As to diet, several feedings per week of microplankton foods, and/or newly hatched brine shrimp may suffice.

Taxonomy:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Cnidaria

Class: Anthozoa

Subclass: Octocorallia

Order: Pennatulacea

Family: Veretillidae

Genus: Cavernularia

FYI: A plastic bowl at least 6 inches (15 cm) high filled with substrate may suffice, however, somewhat deeper is recommended.

Difficult to maintain long term and possibly best left in the wild.

Experience Level: Expert

Diet: Non-photosynthetic/Plankton feeder

Temperament: Peaceful

Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium

Coral Safe:Yes

Fish Safe: Yes

Invertebrate Safe: Yes

Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+

Aquarium Hardiness: Moderately difficult

Calcium (Ca): 380 - 430 mg/l

Alkalinity: 2.5 - 3.0 meq/l

Phosphate (PO4): <0.05 mg/l

Magnesium (Mg): approx. 1350 mg/l (relate to specific gravity)

Strontium (Sr) 8 - 10 mg/l

Temperature Range: 68 - 75°F (20 - 24°C)

Minimum Tank Size: 50 gallons

Lighting: PAR 50+

Water Movement: WM 2

Specific Gravity: 1.023 - 1.025

pH: 8.0 - 8.4

Iodine/Trace Elements Monitor/as necessary to maintain quality seawater.