Organic phosphate kit MICHAEL PALETTA SPECIFIED IN TALK.

[don-n-sa]

Remember that most corals are also algaes, i.e. zooanthellae.

Sorry Gary...I have to raise the flag on this one.

Corals are minute animals living together in massive colonies...But most of their food, about 98%, comes from tiny algae called zooxanthellae that live within the corals. I am positive that you already know this...just a typo right?? :huh

[GaryP]

Don,

Most organisms that we call "corals" are symbiotic organims. Meaning two organisms living together communally to the benefit of both. Yes, corals are animals but they contain algae in their tissues. These algae (zooanthellae) are members of the dinoflagellate family to be exact. I'm not sure that the 98% number is accurate. They do get the majority of carbohydrates from the symbiotic algae, but still need amino acids and other nutrients from the water and particulate foods.

[don-n-sa]

Yes that is all correct Gary, but the comment that corals are algaes is not true....I was just trying to clarify.

[GaryP]

Don,

I guess its just a matter of how you read it. What I meant was that corals are an algae too. The operative word in my original post is "also."

[don-n-sa]

But Gary they are not an algae too :P ...they are an animal with a symbiotic relation with an algae.

Just because two living things have a symbiotic relationship does not mean that they are one animal/plant...they are still two separate living things.

If that were the case then we are bacteria since we have bacteria in our digestive systems that help break down food....I am just having fun with you Gary....all in fun....

Here are some other examples of symbiotic relationships:
oxpecker (a kind of bird) and the rhinoceros or zebra. Oxpeckers land on rhinos or zebras and eat ticks and other parasites that live on their skin. The oxpeckers get food and the beasts get pest control. Also, when there is danger, the oxpeckers fly upward and scream a warning, which helps the symbiont

The bee and the flower. Bees fly from flower to flower gathering nectar, which they make into food, benefiting the bees. When they land in a flower, the bees get some pollen on their hairy bodies, and when they land in the next flower, some of the pollen from the first one rubs off, pollinating* the plant. This benefits the plants. In this symbiotic relationship, the bees get to eat, and the flowering plants get to reproduce.

The spider crab and the algae. Spider crabs live in shallow areas of the ocean floor, and greenish-brown algae lives on the crabs' backs, making the crabs blend in with their environment, and unnoticeable to predators. The algae gets a good place to live, and the crab gets camouflage.

The bacteria and the human. A certain kind of bacteria lives in the intestines of humans and many other animals. The human can not digest all of the food that it eats. The bacteria eat the food that the human can not digest and partially digest it, allowing the human to finish the job. The bacteria benefit by getting food, and the human benefits by being able to digest the food it eats

[GaryP]

OK, now compare and contrast parasitism, commensalism and symbiosis for 10 extra points.

Question: What do you call a photosynthetic coral without algae?

Answer: A pretty rock, but is it still a coral?

Donnie, what about lichens? You missed that one.

Reefer philosophical jousting! I love it!!!!

P.S. That's a mighty fine lookin jousting stick thingy you gotcha there Sir Donnie.

[gjuarez]

Gary, how is a pretty rock photosynthethic? Is it because of the coraline algae. I am assuming that you said PRETTY because of the coraline.

[donniekim]

I wish they had indepth discussions about this kind of thing on MARSH!
This was a very informative read!

Thanks MAASTards! (said in fun)

Donnie
MARSHian

[don-n-sa]

Thats a great compliment Donnie!!!

With someone like Gary around, we have alot of them....

Donny

MAASTARD

[TexasTodd]

"With someone like Gary around, we have alot of them.... "

LMAO! Sometimes JUST with Gary.....gotta love him.! :wub


So, no one picked up on my earlier "BOMBER" statement I'd hope would.

SO, IF THE OPTIMAL POINT FOR SPS IS WHERE MACRO WON'T GROW, BUT MICRO ALGAE WILL STILL GROW.............................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. ........................... Which I'm seeing similar conclusions in my own system.............................THEN, IF YOU HAVE MACRO GROWING IN YOUR SUMP/FUGE.......................????????

Remember, not that sps won't grow, but optimum for them.

Comments? Love stirring the S!



TT