Cyphastrea

Introduction to Cyphastrea Coral

Cyphastrea, often referred to as Meteor Coral or Star Coral, is a Small Polyp Stony (SPS) coral known for its encrusting growth pattern, vibrant coloration, and ease of care. Its small, star-like polyps cover a textured base, creating a visually stunning “galaxy” appearance.

This coral is hardy, adaptable, and beginner-friendly, making it a perfect introduction to SPS coral keeping. Available in colors like red, green, blue, orange, pink, and purple, Cyphastrea fluoresces beautifully under actinic or blue-spectrum lighting.

Unlike many other SPS corals, Cyphastrea thrives in low to moderate light and flow, making it a great addition to shaded areas or lower regions of a reef aquarium where other SPS species might struggle.

Natural Habitat and Location in the Wild

Cyphastrea corals are widely distributed throughout the Indo-Pacific region, including Australia, Indonesia, Fiji, Tonga, and the Great Barrier Reef. They are commonly found encrusting over rocks, reef slopes, and lagoonal areas where light levels are moderate and currents are gentle to moderate.

Why Choose Cyphastrea for Your Reef Tank?

• Beginner-Friendly SPS – Tolerates a wider range of conditions than many stony corals.
• Unique Encrusting Growth – Excellent for covering rock faces and bare spots.
• Vivid Fluorescence – Glows brilliantly under blue or actinic light.
• Low-Light Adaptability – Thrives in shaded areas that other SPS corals avoid.

Optimal Water Parameters

Stable water chemistry is crucial for sustained polyp extension and encrusting growth.

Tank Size and Setup

• Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons or larger.
• Placement: Ideal for lower areas, shaded rock faces, or vertical surfaces.
• Substrate Considerations: Attach firmly to live rock, frag plugs, or shaded ledges where it can slowly spread and encrust.

Cyphastrea will form a crust-like layer over surfaces, creating colorful “reefs” that enhance aquascape texture.

Lighting Requirements

Unlike many SPS corals, Cyphastrea prefers low to moderate lighting.

• PAR Range: 50–150 PAR
• Lighting Type: LED, T5, or hybrid systems emphasizing blue spectrum.
• Lighting Schedule: 8–10 hours per day, with gradual sunrise/sunset transitions.

Too much light can cause bleaching or tissue retraction. Position in shaded or lower regions if using strong lighting systems.

Water Flow and Circulation

• Moderate, indirect flow helps keep the coral clean and ensures healthy polyp extension.
• Avoid strong, direct currents that can damage delicate polyps or inhibit encrusting growth.
• Randomized flow patterns simulate natural reef conditions and prevent debris accumulation.

Feeding and Nutrition

Cyphastrea corals primarily rely on photosynthesis, but they also benefit from occasional supplemental feeding.

• Preferred Foods: Phytoplankton, reef roids, marine snow, and finely powdered coral foods.
• Feeding Frequency: 1–2 times per week for optimal growth and color enhancement.
• Feeding Method: Broadcast or light target feeding helps distribute nutrients evenly.

Regular feeding encourages faster growth and brighter fluorescence.

Tank Mates and Compatibility

• Safe Companions: Peaceful reef fish such as clownfish, gobies, blennies, and small wrasses, as well as invertebrates like shrimp and snails.
• Caution With: Fast-growing soft corals (e.g., Xenia or Green Star Polyps) that can overgrow Cyphastrea.
• Avoid: Aggressive LPS corals or stony corals with long sweeper tentacles that can sting or shade the colony.

Cyphastrea is non-aggressive and coexists peacefully when provided adequate space.

Growth Rate and Propagation

• Growth Rate: Moderate—encrusts surfaces over time to form colorful mats.
• Propagation: Simple and effective.

How to Frag Cyphastrea Coral:

1. Use a coral saw or bone cutters to separate a small section of encrusted rock.
2. Mount the frag onto a plug or new rock with reef-safe glue.
3. Place in moderate flow and lighting until new growth appears.

Given the right conditions, Cyphastrea will spread rapidly and heal quickly after fragging.

Common Diseases and How to Prevent Them

• Tissue Recession: Usually caused by unstable alkalinity or excessive light exposure.
• Algae Growth: Can occur if nutrients are too high or flow is insufficient.
• Pest Infestation: Check for flatworms or nudibranchs during new coral introduction.

Perform routine water testing and visual inspections to prevent these common issues.

Handling and Acclimation

• Use drip acclimation over 30–45 minutes before introducing to your tank.
• Handle carefully by the rock base, avoiding direct contact with polyps.

Once acclimated, Cyphastrea adapts well to most aquarium environments.

Maintenance and Cleaning

• Conduct weekly water changes (10–15%) to stabilize key parameters.
• Periodically clean detritus or algae off surfaces near the coral.
• Maintain consistent alkalinity and calcium for optimal skeletal growth.

Signs of Stress and How to Address Them

• Bleaching or fading: Reduce lighting intensity or move coral to shaded areas.
• Receding tissue: Verify alkalinity stability and reduce direct flow.
• No visible polyp extension: Check for nearby aggression or excessive flow.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• Slow Growth: Increase feeding and ensure consistent alkalinity.
• Color Loss: Adjust lighting spectrum toward blues and maintain stable nutrients.
• Pest Presence: Perform coral dips before adding new specimens.