Pearl bubble coral
Physogyra lichtensteini
Also known as Pearl Coral, Grape Bubble Coral, Tipped Bubblegum Coral
SaltwaterCoral
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–81°F
- 24–27°C
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Adult size
- 9.8 in
- 25 cm
- Minimum tank
- 11 gal
- 40 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Diet
- Photosynthetic
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Breeding
- Hard
- Rarity
- Common
- Reef safe
- Reef safe
- Family
- Plerogyridae
- Origin
- Indo-Pacific, from the Red Sea and East Africa to the Solomon Islands and Australia
Overview
The pearl bubble coral is a reef-safe LPS coral for the shadier parts of a reef tank. It is an easy coral that suits a beginner.
Did you know
A mature pearl bubble coral colony can carry hundreds of bubbles, each only a few millimeters across. Packed together, they give it a denser, pearl-studded look next to the larger, looser grapes of Plerogyra.
Caring for the pearl bubble coral
Give a pearl bubble coral lower light than most LPS, roughly 75 to 150 PAR. Use gentle, low to moderate flow that will not blow its small vesicles around. Place it in a shaded, calm spot low to mid in the tank, where its clustered bubbles are not disturbed.
It needs at least 11 gal (40 L). Hold the water at 75 to 81°F (24 to 27°C) and a pH of 8.1 to 8.4. Keep water quality stable, since it tolerates swings less well than the closely related Plerogyra.
It leans heavily on its zooxanthellae and draws most of its energy from light, so feeding is optional. Like other bubble corals, it reveals its true feeding tentacles only once the bubbles deflate at night. It will take fine meaty foods once they emerge.
Leave room around it, since its nighttime sweeper tentacles are potent. They can reach and damage corals placed downstream.
Good to know
Physogyra lichtensteini is the only species in its genus and, like Plerogyra, belongs to the family Plerogyridae. Its small, teardrop-shaped vesicles measure only 3 to 5 mm across. The bubbles of Plerogyra sinuosa are roughly 1 to 2.5 cm across. Its skeleton forms broad plates rather than tall winding ridges.
In the wild
Physogyra lichtensteini lives in shaded lagoons, caves and the protected undersides of reef slopes across the Indo-Pacific. These places have low light and gentle water movement. Its range runs from the Red Sea and East Africa to the Solomon Islands and Australia.
Common questions
What size tank does a pearl bubble coral need?
A pearl bubble coral needs at least 11 gal (40 L).
What temperature and pH does a pearl bubble coral need?
A pearl bubble coral is comfortable at 75–81°F (24–27°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.
What does a pearl bubble coral eat?
A pearl bubble coral draws most of its energy from light, so feeding is optional. Once its feeding tentacles emerge after dark, it will take fine meaty foods.
How big does a pearl bubble coral get?
An adult pearl bubble coral reaches about 9.8 in (25 cm).
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