Cyphastrea agassizi

(Vaughan, 1907)

Mound Coral

Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: Red Sea, Java, Indonesia, Philippines, Japan, Marshall Islands, Samoa, Tahiti, and Australia.

Natural Environment: Inhabits shallow reef environments and generally seen at depths between 10 to 130 feet (3 - 40 m).

General Husbandry: Even though not normally collected for the trade, frags of what appear to be highly cultured brightly colored specimens, very possibly a different encrusting species in this genus, appear in the marketplace. Sometimes call 'Eye Corals' because its widely spaced polyps have a brightly contrasting color than body tissue.

Some forethought needs to be given to newly received specimens as to their initial lighting requirements as they may come from a wide range of depths! Therefore, begin by placing the specimen where it will receive moderate light, e.g., 250 - 300 PAR. Move to slightly higher PAR levels only after becoming fully acclimated to initial surrounding conditions. Patience is the key with specimens that come from unknown environments.

Even though capable of producing most of its nutritional needs via photosynthesis, plankton-like foodstuffs fed occasionally when feeding tentacles are displayed, is beneficial/promote quicker growth.

Taxonomy:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Cnidaria

Class: Anthozoa

Subclass: Hexacorallia

Order: Scleractinia

Family: Faviidae

Genus: Cyphastrea

FYI: In the wild, form large encrusting mounds with wide spaced corallites pale brown or green.

Experience Level: Intermediate

Diet: Photosynthetic/Plankton feeder

Temperament: Peaceful

Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium

Coral Safe: With caution

Fish Safe: Yes

Invertebrate Safe: Yes

Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+

Aquarium Hardiness: Hardy

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: 50 gallons

Lighting: PAR 250 - 350+

Water Movement: WM 1 - 2

Specific Gravity: 1.023 - 1.025

pH: 8.0 - 8.4

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