Cyphastrea Serailia

Cyphastrea Serailia key facts

Care level

Beginner-friendly

Size

Colonies from about 10 cm to several tens of cm

Temperature

24〜27℃

Diet

Mainly nutrition from symbiotic zooxanthellae, supplemented with fine particulate coral foods offered at night.

Lighting

LiveAquaria gives moderate lighting for this group of brain corals. Reduce the light at first and raise it to the target position over several weeks.

Flow & Placement

Medium flow. It encrusts outwards and will overgrow its neighbours, so mount it on its own rock or give it room to spread.

Water Temperature & Quality

Water 24-26C, specific gravity 1.023-1.025, salinity 33-35 ppt, KH 8-12. It consumes calcium and magnesium, so test and replenish them regularly.

Feeding

Most of its nutrition comes from its zooxanthellae. The corallites are small, so feed only small amounts of fine particulate coral food after lights-out.

Notes

Several congeners have similarly sized and shaped corallites, so accurate identification needs a look at the skeleton. As a scleractinian it is on CITES Appendix II and international trade requires permits.

About Cyphastrea Serailia

Cyphastrea serailia, the Lesser Knob Coral, is a reef-building coral whose small corallites dot its encrusting to hemispherical colonies. Found across the Indo-Pacific, it's considered beginner-friendly.

7 things to know before welcoming a Cyphastrea Serailia

1. 1Enjoy Its Sculptural Texture

   Rather than bold coloring, Cyphastrea serailia's appeal lies in the small corallites dotting its skeleton, creating a subtly textured surface. The way light plays across these bumps brings out shifting shadows across the colony.

2. 2Hardy and Approachable

   This species is considered beginner-friendly, making it approachable for those new to coral keeping. Its solid skeleton also tends to hold up reasonably well to routine handling.

3. 3Grows Encrusting to Hemispherical

   Colonies start out encrusting the rock surface before gradually developing into hemispherical mounds. Mature colonies can reach a diameter ranging from roughly ten to several tens of centimeters.

4. 4Give It Space From Neighbors

   Because colonies grow fairly large over time, it's important to leave adequate space between this coral and its neighbors. If growing colonies make contact, they can harm one another.

5. 5Secure a Stable Placement

   As the colony grows larger, having a stable base becomes increasingly important. Secure it firmly at placement so water flow doesn't shift it over time.

6. 6Avoid Sudden Water Changes

   As with corals in general, sudden changes in water parameters can be stressful. When introducing a new specimen, take time for a slow, gradual acclimation.

7. 7What to Watch After Arrival

   In the days after introduction, keep an eye on polyp extension and tissue color. Watch for any signs of bleaching or tissue recession, and keep environmental changes to a minimum during this settling-in period.

Frequently asked questions about Cyphastrea Serailia

Q.Is Cyphastrea serailia suitable for beginners?

A.Yes, it's generally considered a beginner-friendly species. Its hardy nature makes it approachable even for those just starting out in coral keeping.

Q.How large does this coral grow?

A.Colonies typically reach a diameter of roughly ten to several tens of centimeters. They start out encrusting and gradually develop into hemispherical mounds.

Q.What does it look like?

A.Its skeleton is dotted with small corallites that rise gently from the surface. Rather than vivid coloring, it's prized for the textured, sculptural look these bumps create.

Q.Where is this coral naturally found?

A.It's a reef-building coral distributed widely across the Indo-Pacific. In the wild it forms encrusting to hemispherical colonies.

Q.Is Cyphastrea serailia listed under CITES?

A.Cyphastrea Serailia 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 Cyphastrea Serailia care

Learn more about Cyphastrea Serailia in the encyclopedia

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