Pagoda cup coral
Turbinaria peltata
Also known as Pagoda Coral, Cup Coral, Turbinaria Pagoda, Chalice Cup Coral, Vase Coral
SaltwaterCoral
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–81°F
- 24–27°C
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Adult size
- 11.8 in
- 30 cm
- Minimum tank
- 40 gal
- 150 L
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Breeding
- Hard
- Rarity
- Common
- Reef safe
- Reef safe
- Family
- Dendrophylliidae
- Origin
- Occurs on Indo-Pacific reefs, often in turbid inshore and lagoon water from the Red Sea to the western Pacific.
Overview
The pagoda cup coral is a stony coral that grows as a cup or pagoda shape. It is easy to keep in a reef tank.
Caring for the pagoda cup coral
Give the pagoda cup coral moderate light and moderate flow, in a reef tank of at least 40 gal (150 L). Mount it where the plates have room to widen. Angle the cup so detritus does not pool in the center.
It is one of the hardiest Turbinaria and tolerates a range of conditions. Even so, keep the water at 75 to 81°F (24 to 27°C) with a pH of 8.1 to 8.4. Hold alkalinity stable as well.
The large polyps take mysis and small meaty foods readily, and those meals help it grow. The pagoda cup coral is peaceful toward its neighbors.
Good to know
Turbinaria peltata is a large polyp member of the family Dendrophylliidae, the same family as sun corals and Duncanopsammia. It has the largest polyps in its genus, and it carries zooxanthellae. A colony forms horizontal plates and tiers, with large, well-spaced polyps that stand up off the surface. It is usually gray-green or brown, and young colonies encrust before lifting into a shallow bowl.
In the wild
The pagoda cup coral occurs on Indo-Pacific reefs from the Red Sea to the western Pacific, often in turbid inshore and lagoon water. It produces mucus to shed the silt of these murky habitats.
Common questions
What size tank does a pagoda cup coral need?
A pagoda cup coral needs at least 40 gal (150 L).
What temperature and pH does a pagoda cup coral need?
A pagoda cup coral is comfortable at 75–81°F (24–27°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.
What does a pagoda cup coral eat?
A pagoda cup coral takes mysis and small meaty foods readily with its large polyps. Those meals help it grow.
How big does a pagoda cup coral get?
An adult pagoda cup coral reaches about 11.8 in (30 cm).
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