Cycloseris

Cycloseris key facts

Care level

Beginner-friendly

Size

Up to about 10 cm in diameter

Temperature

24〜26℃

Diet

Nutrition from its zooxanthellae, supplemented by zooplankton caught with tentacles extended at night.

Lighting

Moderate light is enough. LiveAquaria lists fungiid plate corals as needing moderate lighting; it does not need to sit directly under the brightest part of the tank.

Flow & Placement

Rest it on a fine sand bed. AlgaeBarn recommends low to moderate flow for fungiids. It can move itself, so avoid placing it directly under other corals or near pump intakes.

Water Temperature & Quality

Water 24-26C, specific gravity 1.023-1.025 (salinity 33-35 ppt), pH 8.1-8.4, KH 8-12, calcium 380-440 ppm, magnesium 1300-1400 ppm.

Feeding

It extends its tentacles at night, so drop brine shrimp or micro-plankton near the mouth after lights-out. It can be kept on zooxanthellae alone, but feeding speeds growth.

Notes

Its tissue is thin and it rots easily if buried in sand or left upside down, so turn it mouth-up if it tips over. As a scleractinian it is on CITES Appendix II and international trade requires permits.

About Cycloseris

Cycloseris is a disc-shaped solitary coral that rests on sand rather than attaching to rock, growing up to about 10cm across. Its tolerance for turbid water makes it a forgiving choice for beginner coral keepers.

7 things to know before welcoming a Cycloseris

1. 1It doesn't attach to rock

   Cycloseris doesn't cement itself to a substrate like many corals — it simply rests on the sand. Handle it gently when rearranging your tank, since it can easily shift out of place.

2. 2Keep it on sand, not rock

   House it on a soft sand bed rather than perched on rockwork. Avoid spots with strong, direct flow and choose a gentler current for better stability.

3. 3Feeds through a central mouth

   It has a single mouth at the center of its disc, from which it extends tentacles to catch food. Aim feedings near that spot to reduce leftover food in the tank.

4. 4Tolerant of turbid water

   Cycloseris handles cloudy water conditions well and isn't overly sensitive to shifts in water quality. That said, routine water care is still just as important as with any coral.

5. 5Grows to about 10cm across

   At full size it reaches roughly 10cm in diameter at most, so it won't take up much space in your tank. That makes long-term layout planning easier.

6. 6Acclimate it slowly at first

   Newly arrived specimens are sensitive to sudden changes, so take your time with drip acclimation. Keep it out of strong light and flow until it settles in.

7. 7Lives as a solitary polyp

   Unlike colonial corals, Cycloseris lives as a single individual. Give it enough space from neighboring corals so they don't come into contact.

Frequently asked questions about Cycloseris

Q.Is Cycloseris suitable for beginners?

A.Yes, it's classified as beginner-friendly. Its tolerance for turbid water and relative insensitivity to water quality shifts make it an easy species to keep.

Q.Does it need to be attached to rock?

A.No, Cycloseris doesn't attach to a substrate — it's kept resting on sand. There's no need to glue or fix it to rock.

Q.How large does it grow?

A.At full size it reaches roughly 10cm in diameter. As a solitary coral, it won't spread out into a large colony.

Q.What kind of tank layout suits it?

A.A layout with a soft sand area, rather than rockwork, suits it best. Choose a spot with gentle flow rather than direct, strong current for better stability.

Q.Is it subject to any regulations?

A.Cycloseris is listed in CITES Appendix II. International trade requires a permit from the exporting country, but as far as CITES is concerned, no registration is needed to buy or sell individuals already legally in Japan.

Useful tools for Cycloseris care

Learn more about Cycloseris in the encyclopedia

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