Coral species · Cyphastrea Coral

Cyphastrea spp.

Fast-growing encrusting coral with tiny contrasting polyps, often called meteor shower Cyphastrea.

Overview

Cyphastrea is a genus of encrusting and mounding stony corals with small, closely packed corallites. It is a hardy, adaptable coral that grows steadily across rock and is valued for adding texture and colour to a reefscape.

Brightly speckled pieces are often sold as “meteor shower” Cyphastrea, after the contrasting polyps scattered across the colony.

Appearance and colour

Colonies are typically one base colour, such as brown, green, purple or pink, overlaid with small polyps in a contrasting shade. Under blue lighting many pieces show strong fluorescence.

Care in the aquarium

Cyphastrea tolerates a wide range of conditions. Moderate to high light and moderate flow give the best colour and growth. It will encrust onto rock and grow outward, so position it where it has room to spread. Supplementary feeding is optional; it captures fine particulate food on its own.

At a glance

Cyphastrea Coral

Type Stony coral (traded with LPS)
Also known as Cyphastrea, meteor shower coral
Lighting Moderate to high
Water flow Moderate
Placement Middle to upper reef
Feeding Captures fine foods; optional
Care level Easy
Temperament Peaceful

Every coral is unique. Photos are representative of the species; each colony varies in shape, size and colour.

Responsibly sourced

How we source Cyphastrea spp.

Our corals are collected on the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef, from the northern areas of the Reef down to Bundaberg, our home. Our diving collection vessels are equipped for long-distance travel, so we can find the best corals and keep them in pristine condition on the way to our holding facility.

Jeremy leads our harvesting team, which is extensively trained in safe, sustainable collecting techniques. We work to a strictly limited quota across broad reef areas within specific zones, taking small numbers of corals of limited size and premium quality and leaving the majority of the coral intact.

At our Bundaberg holding facility, Travis and the team fine-tune feeding, lighting and husbandry so every coral is in top condition before it is carefully packed and shipped. Our growing aquaculture program supports our vision of offering a 100% aquacultured source of premium corals.

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Limited, selective harvest

A strictly limited quota, taken from broad reef areas in specific zones. Small numbers, limited sizes and premium quality.

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Stewardship and certification

We participate in Provision Reef, an industry stewardship program, and maintain CITES certification for responsible sourcing.

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Towards 100% aquacultured

Our growing aquaculture program in Bundaberg supports our vision of a fully aquacultured source of premium corals.

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