Purple & Gold Cyphastrea

Cyphastrea is an encrusting small polyp stony coral that has become a staple in the hobby. It's appreciated for its hardiness relative to other SPS and for the wide range of intense colour combinations available. This variety displays a classic purple and gold pattern that brings interest to any rockwork.

In a home reef, Cyphastrea lays down a thin layer of skeleton that conforms to the surface of the rock it's placed on. The polyps are small and embedded in the coenosteum, or stony base. The base tissue of this morph is a deep purple, with each polyp having a distinct gold oral disc, creating a field of coloured dots. Polyps tend to show their best extension in lower light or at night.

For care, Cyphastrea is less demanding than many other SPS corals. It thrives in low to moderate lighting conditions, typically in the 100-250 PAR range. It prefers moderate, indirect water flow to keep its surface clean. Stable water parameters are important, so maintain calcium between 420-440 ppm, alkalinity at 8-9 dKH, and magnesium around 1300-1400. While photosynthetic, it will benefit from occasional broadcast feeding with fine particulate foods. Give it space to grow, as it will encrust over anything it touches, though it has a weak sting.

Due to its adaptable nature and moderate light requirements, Cyphastrea is an excellent choice for adding colour to the lower or shadier areas of a high-energy SPS system. It also serves as a good introductory SPS for reefers looking to branch into stony corals without starting with the most demanding species.

This is a WYSIWYG item, so you'll receive the exact specimen pictured.

We take livestock seriously. That's why we don't sell anything we wouldn't be comfortable putting in our own tank.

As we are direct from source, we import and sell direct to the public. This means you can buy with confidence knowing EMA prides itself on excellent handling and conditioning protocols.

Fish

All our fish held in a quarantine system for a minimum of 3 weeks. During this time, regular water changes are performed, and twice daily (or sometimes more) feedings are performed.

Copper is dosed and checked twice a day for ich and velvet.

During this treatment fish are given formalin baths for brooklynella and a minimum of 3 praziquantel doses is performed for flukes.

Coral

Our coral is quarantined for a minimum of 3 weeks, just like fish. During this time, regular water changes are performed, water testing done, and once a month a Fauna Marin ICP Total is performed.

Corals are inspected for pests/general health and are provided with a pest dip once a week for at least 3 weeks.

If we see signs of pests, the quarantine period is extended and/or additional dips are performed

If coral is bleached/unhealthy, it will remain in quarantine until healthy enough to sell.