Leptoseris foliosa

Dinesen, 1980

Plate Coral, Wrinkle Coral

Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: Red Sea, East Africa, Malaysia, South China Sea, Japan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Solomon Islands, and Australia.

Natural Environment: Inhabits vertical walls on lower reef slopes and usually seen at depths between 50 - 100 feet (15 - 30 m).

General Husbandry: Rarely seen in the trade.

Some forethought needs to be given to newly received specimens as to their initial lighting requirements. Brightly colored cultured specimens may have been raised in 'very' shallow waters. If not sure of the PAR it was grown under, begin by placing the specimen where it will receive moderate light, e.g., 250 PAR. Move to higher PAR levels only after becoming fully acclimated to initial surrounding conditions.

Capable of producing its nutritional needs via photosynthesis, yet benefits from once or twice a week feedings of various plankton-like foods, such as Oyster eggs, cyclops, baby brine shrimp, Spirulina, enriched adult brine shrimp and mysis.

At night, produces short sweeper tentacles, therefore leave enough open distance between it and downstream coral neighbors.

Taxonomy:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Cnidaria

Class: Anthozoa

Subclass: Hexacorallia

Order: Scleractinia

Family: Agariciidae

Genus: Leptoseris

FYI: In the wild, a mat-like/encrusting growth and usually cream or brown.

Adaptable to lower light conditions, yet cultured bright colors may fade.

Experience Level: Intermediate

Diet: Photosynthetic/Plankton feeder

Temperament: Semi-aggressive

Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium

Coral Safe: With caution

Fish Safe: Yes

Invertebrate Safe: Yes

Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+

Aquarium Hardiness: Moderate

Calcium (Ca): 380 - 430 mg/l

Alkalinity: 2.5 - 3.0 meq/l

Phosphate (PO4): <0.05 mg/l

Magnesium (Mg): approx. 1350 mg/l (relate to specific gravity)

Strontium (Sr) 8 - 10 mg/l

Temperature Range: 74 - 83°F (23 - 28°C)

Minimum Tank Size: 100 gallons

Lighting: PAR 250 - 400+

Water Movement: WM 2 - 3

Specific Gravity: 1.023 - 1.025

pH: 8.0 - 8.4

Iodine/Trace Elements Monitor/as necessary to maintain quality seawater.