Diploastrea helipora

(Lamarck, 1816)

Moon Coral

Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: Widespread.

Natural Environment: Inhabits various shallow reef environments, yet usually on upper reef slopes having wave swells or current flow and generally seen at depths between 10 to 100 feet (3 - 30 m).

General Husbandry: Occasionally seen in the trade.

As to placement in the aquarium, mid level areas receiving moderate light and water movement are initially the best areas. Movement to slightly higher PAR levels only after becoming fully acclimated to initial surrounding conditions is then recommended.

Furthermore, maricultured specimens are available and if brightly colored, ask under what PAR conditions it was grown in, so you may continue to see it maintain its health/colors! If unknown, proceed as described above.

Somewhat 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 and mysis shrimp.

Even though its feeding tentacles are usually only displayed at night, it will sometimes display them during daylight hours if it senses food entering the aquarium. I have often used a freeze-dried krill squished between my fingertips in the aquarium water to bring forth its feeding tentacles.

Taxonomy:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Cnidaria

Class: Anthozoa

Subclass: Hexacorallia

Order: Scleractinia

Family: Faviidae

Genus: Diploastrea

FYI: In the wild, forms encrusting large flat to dome shaped mounds, often several meters in diameter. Usually a brown, tan, or gray, yet green specimens are found, mostly in Western Samoa. Easily identified as it has tiny volcano-shaped corallites with ribbed sidewalls.

Experience Level: Beginner

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 350 - 400+

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.