Moseleya latistellata

Quelch, 1884

Maze Coral

Range: Western Pacific Ocean: Northern Australia.

Natural Environment: Inhabits shallow turbid/muddy areas and usually seen at depths between 3 to 30 feet (1 - 10 m).

General Husbandry: Rarely seen in the trade.

As to placement in the aquarium, mid level areas receiving moderate light and somewhat swift water movement is the best initial area. Movement to higher PAR levels only after becoming fully acclimated to initial surrounding conditions is recommended only if brightly colored.

Capable of producing its nutritional needs via photosynthesis, yet benefits from once or twice a week feedings of various plankton-like foods, such as Oyster eggs, cyclops, baby brine shrimp, Spirulina, enriched adult brine and mysis shrimp.

Even though its feeding tentacles are usually only displayed at night, it will sometimes display them during daylight hours if it senses food entering the aquarium. I have often used a freeze-dried krill squished between my fingertips in the aquarium water to bring forth its feeding tentacles.

Placement on bottoms substrate is not recommended because sand grains deposits from disturbances can cause tissue damage.

Taxonomy:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Cnidaria

Class: Anthozoa

Subclass: Hexacorallia

Order: Scleractinia

Family: Faviidae

Genus: Moseleya

FYI: In the wild, forms small massive-shaped colonies that are either rounded or somewhat hilly having rounded corallites with thick walls, and usually pale brown with brown or green oral discs.

Experience Level: Beginner

Diet: Photosynthetic/Plankton feeder

Temperament: Semi-aggressive

Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium

Coral Safe: With caution

Fish Safe: Yes

Invertebrate Safe: Yes

Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+

Aquarium Hardiness: Moderately hardy

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: 71 - 81°F (22 - 27°C)

Minimum Tank Size: 50 gallons

Lighting: PAR 300 - 450+

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.