Pinky Cyphastrea

Quick Stats

• Care Level: Moderate
• Coral Type: SPS (Small Polyp Stony)
• Lighting Requirement: Low to Medium (75-250 PAR)
• Flow: Moderate
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Placement: Rockwork
• Approximate Purchase Size: 3/4"

Overview

The Pinky Cyphastrea is a solid addition for reefers looking to fill out rockwork with steady, encrusting growth. Its bright pink coloration adds subtle visual interest without overwhelming the tank, making it ideal for blending with other corals. With moderate care needs, it’s a reliable choice for aquarists wanting to add color and texture in a low-maintenance form.

Note: This is not a WYSIWYG listing. Photo is a representation of the shape, size, and color of the coral you will receive.

Water Parameters

This coral thrives in stable water conditions with regular water changes. Corals with a skeleton base, like this one, will consume calcium and alkalinity as they grow, often requiring additional supplementation. Routine water testing helps ensure these needs are consistently met.

• Specific Gravity (Salinity): 1.025-1.026
• Temperature: 75-78 Degrees F
• pH: 8.1-8.4
• Alkalinity: 8-9.5 dKH
• Calcium: 400-450ppm
• Magnesium: 1300-1450ppm
• Nitrate (NO3): 10-25ppm
• Phosphate: 0.01-0.1ppm
• Nitrite (NO2): Undetectable
• Ammonia (NH3): Undetectable

Lighting Requirements

This coral prefers low to medium light areas of the aquarium, ideally in the 75-250 PAR range. While it can handle slightly higher light, it's best to acclimate it gradually to avoid stress. For those with mixed reef tanks, a PAR meter is invaluable for fine-tuning light levels across different corals, helping ensure each coral gets the right intensity for its needs. This careful setup supports the coral’s vibrant color and long-term health.

Ideal Tank Placement

Position it where the water current isn’t too turbulent but has a steady flow, preventing detritus from settling onto the coral. Place it in an area where it has some room to grow and encrust.

Water Flow Requirements

Moderate water flow is ideal. Aim for movement that’s enough to gently shift the coral’s polyps without blasting it directly, as this helps to keep debris from collecting on the surface and promotes healthy growth.

Aggressiveness and Compatibility

It's important to give encrusting corals room to grow. Like most corals, it will fight with any other corals it comes into direct contact with.

Feeding and Nutrition

While this coral primarily relies on photosynthesis for energy, it can benefit from occasional target feedings with coral foods such as Reef Chili and Amino Acids like CoralAmino. These supplemental feedings can support faster growth and better coloration, making it easy to get the most out of this colorful coral.

Growth Rate and Pattern

This coral is a steady grower with a growth pattern that is determined by the shape of the rock or surface it's encrusting over.

Acclimation Process

Acclimation is essential for corals to adjust to their new environment. For a full step-by-step process, refer to our Coral Acclimation Guide.