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Solitary Cup Coral (Balanophyllia sp.)
Solitary Cup Coral
Please Note: Due to variations within species, your item may not look identical to the image provided. Approximate size range may also vary between individual specimen.
Please Note: Due to variations within species, your item may not look identical to the image provided. Approximate size range may also vary between individual specimen.
Solitary Cup Coral (Balanophyllia sp.)
Additional locales and sizes may be available!
Additional locales and sizes may be available!

Quick Stats

Care Level Moderate - Difficult
Temperament Semi-aggressive
Color Form Orange, Yellow
Water Conditions 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025
Family Dendrophylliidae
Lighting Low
Supplements Calcium, Magnesium, Strontium, Trace Elements
Waterflow Low to Medium
Placement Bottom
Compatibility View Chart
What do these Quick Stats mean? Click here for more information
Care Level Moderate - Difficult
Temperament Semi-aggressive
Color Form Orange, Yellow
Water Conditions 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025
Family Dendrophylliidae
Lighting Low
Supplements Calcium, Magnesium, Strontium, Trace Elements
Waterflow Low to Medium
Placement Bottom
Compatibility View Chart
What do these Quick Stats mean? Click here for more information

Overview

Balanophyllia are NPS (non-photosynthetic) corals belonging to the family Dendrophylliidae. These LPS corals are considered a single polyp species. There are over 60 species of Balanophyllia that inhabit just about all of the world’s oceans from subtropical, tropical and temperate waters. Balanophyllia are cryptic in nature and are often found colonizing deeper water structures such caves, ledges, and other rockwork.

To best recreate a natural habitat in the home reef aquarium, house your Balanophyllia in an established system with good filtration. Consider creating ledges, overhangs, or caves using live rock in your reef aquarium landscape. Balanophyllia corals should be placed in the lower to bottom section of the aquarium, in an area with subdued or dim lighting. Since these corals require target feeding, it is best to place Balanophyllia corals in an area that is easily accessible for spot feeding.

Being NPS corals that do not host photosynthetic zooxanthellae algae, which supplement coral nutrition, Balanophyllia require feedings of frozen/thawed foods such as calanus, brine shrimp and mysis shrimp. To ensure your Balanophyllia is getting proper nutrition, the addition of liquid supplements such as Selcon or VitaChem will be necessary and will be appreciated by these corals. Balanophyllia have transparent tentacles covered with spirocysts and stinging nematocycsts that help the polyp capture prey or food items.

Balanophyllia should be fed multiple times per week since this is their main source of nutrition. During feeding, consider turning off your circulation pump or turn the water flow low help prevent food items from drifting into the water column. The use of an efficient protein skimmer is highly recommended to effectively remove uneaten food particles and maintain high water quality.

For continued good health, Balanophyllia Corals will also require the addition of calcium, magnesium, and other trace elements to the water.

Approximate Purchase Size: 1/2" to 1-1/2"

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