What Is Cyphastrea Coral?

Cyphastrea is a small polyp stony (SPS) coral known for its encrusting growth pattern and unique polyp structure. Native to the Indo-Pacific, it comes in a variety of color morphs—like the popular Meteor Shower and Rainbow varieties—and adds a textured, alien-like look to your aquascape.

Ideal Tank Conditions

• Lighting: Low to moderate (50–125 PAR). Too much light can cause bleaching.
• Water Flow: Moderate, indirect flow to prevent detritus buildup.
• Temperature: 72–78°F (22–26°C)
• Salinity: 1.024–1.026 SG
• pH: 8.1–8.4
• Alkalinity: 8–12 dKH
• Calcium: 400–450 ppm
• Magnesium: 1250–1350 ppm

Placement Tips

Start your Cyphastrea coral on the sand bed or lower rockwork, especially if your tank has strong lighting. It will encrust over rock surfaces, so choose a placement that allows it to spread naturally without shading other corals.

Feeding & Nutrition

While Cyphastrea is photosynthetic, it benefits from occasional feeding. Try:

• Reef Roids or powdered coral foods
• Phytoplankton or zooplankton
• Target feeding 1–2 times per week

Growth & Fragging

Cyphastrea grows slowly but steadily. To frag, use a coral saw or Dremel to cut a section of the encrusted base. Allow frags to heal in a low-flow area before reintroducing them to the display tank.

Common Issues

• Bleaching: Often caused by excessive light or unstable parameters.
• Algae Overgrowth: Keep nutrients balanced and flow adequate to prevent buildup.
• Slow Growth: May indicate low nutrients or insufficient feeding.