Cyphastrea Coral

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Cyphastrea Coral

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Genus:

Cyphastrea

Common Species:


C. Decadia, C. Serailia, C. Chalcidicum, C. Microphthalma

Common Names:


Lesser Knob Coral, Mound Coral

The Cyphastrea genus form massive colonies that are large and encrusting, with just a few species like Lesser Knob Coral C. decadia, that form tree like branches. The corallites all have separate walls within the colony (the corallites are the raised areas in which polyps reside). Their very centers, or calices, are less than 3 mm in diameter, making them easier to identify. The tissue in between the corallites has a grainy surface, and like other Faviidae, the polyps come out at night.

    Their colors include gray, brown, cream, green, yellow, and white, with aquacultured varieties can include other colors like dark red, red, pink, blue, and shades of lavender. To tell the difference between the species, you need to look at their skeletal structure.

Decadia

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Decadia - is the most unique of this genus, forming branches that would almost make you think you were looking at an Acropora from a distance. Once you get closer, it is obvious which coral you are looking at. On the branches, that can "Y" out, all of the corallites are raised. They are longer or more tubular than the other species. It has 12 costae and 12 septal teeth. The teeth are even in size, but the corallites themselves can alter in height.

Serailia, Chalcidicum and Microphthalma


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Serailia - is the most commonly seen species in the aquarium trade. The outside edges of the corallite (raised area where the polyp resides) have teeth called costae. the costae alternate from large to small height wise, but are pretty even going around each corallite (at the base of the corallite). It is relatively smooth looking when the polyp is in a normal expanded state. The teeth on the inside edges of the corallite, where the polyp is, are called septa of which this coral has 12.

Chalcidicum are not as common as C. serailia. The outside edges of the corallite (raised area where the polyp resides) have teeth called costae that alternate from large to small. At the base of the corallite, the larger costae stick out considerably more than the smaller ones, giving it a rough appearance. The teeth on the inside edges of the corallite, where the polyp is, are called septa of which this coral has 12.

Microphthalma are also not as common as C. serailia. The outside edges of the corallite (raised area where the polyp resides) have teeth called costae. This species has 10 evenly sized teeth that are prominent and have less flesh between them than C. serailia, but more than C. chalcidicum. The teeth on the inside edges of the corallite, where the polyp is, are called septa of which this coral has 10.

Location and Habitat

The Cyphastrea genus are found in the Indo-Pacific, the Red Sea, Marshall Islands, Samoa, Tahiti, Japan to Java and Indonesia, Australia, and the Philippines. The Cyphastrea genus are found on pretty much all reef habitats from the sub-tropics to the tropics, at depths from 10 - 131 feet (3 - 40 m). The common imports are mostly from shallow reef environments.

Cyphastrea Coral Care


The Cyphastrea genus in general is moderate to easy in care and will do well in normal reef conditions. The Lesser Knob Coral is a fairly hardy coral. Be sure to have proper water movement and provide sufficient lighting. It needs moderate to low light, but will usually will be able to adapt to higher lighting conditions. Higher lighting may bring out its color better, while it may extend more under lower light. It may be kept under normal output fluorescents, to more intense light sources including metal halides. Provide moderate water movement for the best health. This is a peaceful species, but it does need distance between it and other corals.

Cyphastrea Coral Feeding

The Cyphastrea genus, like other stony corals, have developed several feeding strategies. Through a symbiotic relationship with a marine algae, known as zooxanthellae, they receive the majority of their nutrients. They also capture planktonic organisms, food particles from the water column, and can absorb dissolved organic matter.

In captivity, the Cyphastrea Coral needs to be fed at night when their tentacles are out. Feed rotifers, newly hatched brine shrimp, mysis, and zooplankton type foods, including foods for filter feeders. They do need to be fed at the very least, once a week, and grow quite well with regular feedings. C. decadia is said to prefer lower lighting, and if your lighting is lower, like other Flaviidae, they should be fed more often.

Propagation

Propagation should be similar to other Faviidae. Start with a fully acclimated specimen. Using a dremel or similarly powerful tool, cut at least least a 1" size frag. Cut this from the edges if possible, since the bone is less dense there. Glue the frag to a plug or rock. You can use the 2-part epoxy or underwater putties. Make sure the frag has good water flow to help it heal.

For more information on Cyphastrea see links below:
http://animal-world.com/encyclo/reef/lg_stony/CyphastreaDecadia.php
 
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