Feeding and Nutrition 珊瑚的餵養與營養

Corals might look like colorful rocks, but they’re living animals — and like all animals, they need to eat. While photosynthesis through their symbiotic zooxanthellae provides much of their energy, feeding corals directly helps them grow faster, develop richer colors, and recover from stress more effectively.
1. Understanding Coral Diets
Different corals eat in different ways. SPS (Small Polyp Stony) corals mostly rely on light and dissolved nutrients, while LPS (Large Polyp Stony) and soft corals can actively capture food particles. Their diets may include:
Phytoplankton & Zooplankton: Excellent for filter-feeding corals and soft species.
Coral foods (e.g., Reef Roids, powdered blends): Perfect for target feeding.
Frozen or live food (brine shrimp, rotifers, mysis): Ideal for hungry LPS like Acanthastrea, Euphyllia, and Scolymia.
2. Feeding Techniques
For best results, turn off your pumps temporarily to let food settle and give corals time to feed. Use a pipette or turkey baster for target feeding — aim gently at the coral’s tentacles or mouth area. Avoid overfeeding, as uneaten food can pollute your water.
3. Timing and Frequency
Most corals extend their polyps at night, so feeding after lights out often yields better response. 2–3 feedings per week is enough for most mixed reefs. Watch how your corals react — some may prefer small, frequent meals, others larger but less frequent ones.
4. Supporting Nutrition Through Stability
Nutrition isn’t only about feeding — it’s about maintaining good nutrient balance. Corals need a trace amount of nitrate and phosphate to stay vibrant. Running your tank “too clean” can starve them and lead to pale colors or slow growth.
Pro Tip:
Think of feeding as a supplement, not a fix. It enhances growth and color, but stable water chemistry and lighting always come first. Feed smart, not just more.

珊瑚看起來像石頭，但其實是活生生的動物。雖然體內共生藻（zooxanthellae）能藉由光合作用提供主要能量，但適當的餵食能讓珊瑚長得更快、顏色更飽滿，也能幫助牠們從壓力中恢復。
1. 理解不同珊瑚的飲食習性
不同類型的珊瑚進食方式不同：
SPS（小型硬骨珊瑚） 主要依賴光照與水中的溶解營養。
LPS（大型硬骨珊瑚）與軟體珊瑚 則會主動捕捉食物顆粒。
牠們常吃的食物包括：
浮游植物與浮游動物（Phytoplankton / Zooplankton）： 適合過濾型與軟體珊瑚。
專用珊瑚粉（如 Reef Roids 等）： 可用於精準餵食。
冷凍或活餌（鹹水豐年蝦、輪蟲、糠蝦）： 適合胃口大的 LPS，如腦珊瑚、火炬珊瑚與甜甜圈珊瑚。
2. 餵食技巧
餵食時可暫時關閉水流，讓食物停留在珊瑚周圍。使用滴管或火雞針筒（Turkey Baster）進行定點餵食，輕柔地瞄準觸手或口部。避免過量餵食，以免造成水質污染。
3. 餵食時間與頻率
多數珊瑚在夜間會張開觸手，因此關燈後餵食效果最好。一般每週餵 2～3 次即可。觀察反應，有些珊瑚喜歡少量多餐，有些則偏好少量但營養密度高的餵食。
4. 穩定是營養的基礎
營養不只靠食物補給，更關乎系統的「平衡」。保持微量的硝酸鹽與磷酸鹽能維持健康與色澤；過度「乾淨」的水反而會讓珊瑚營養不足、顏色變淡、成長停滯。
小建議：
餵食是「加分項」不是「補救法」。它能增強顏色與成長，但穩定的水質與光照才是根本。聰明餵，不是多餵。