Pagoda Cup Coral

Care at a glance

Overview

Give it a 150 liter or larger reef with moderate light and moderate flow, mounted where the plates have room to widen. It is one of the hardiest Turbinaria and tolerates a range of conditions, but keep temperature 24 to 27 C, pH 8.1 to 8.4, and stable alkalinity. The large polyps take mysis and small meaty foods readily, which helps it grow. Angle the cup so detritus does not pool in the center.

In the wild

A stony coral that grows as a cup or pagoda shape, forming horizontal plates and tiers with large, well-spaced polyps that stand up off the surface. It is usually gray-green or brown with prominent fleshy polyps that stay extended day and night, unlike most of its relatives. Young colonies encrust and then lift into a shallow bowl. The big daytime polyps make it look almost furry when open.

Good to know

Turbinaria peltata is a large polyp member of the family Dendrophylliidae, the same family as sun corals and Duncanopsammia. It is the species in its genus most likely to keep its polyps out during the day, and it has the largest polyps of the group. It carries zooxanthellae and produces mucus to shed the silt of the murky habitats it favors.

Did you know

It is the only cup coral in its genus that routinely feeds during the day, so its fuzzy polyps stay on show instead of hiding until dark.

Related species

• 

  Ruffled Disc Coral

  Turbinaria mesenterina

  11.8 in (30 cm)40 gal (150 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)

• 

  Yellow Scroll Coral

  Turbinaria reniformis

  11.8 in (30 cm)40 gal (150 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)

• 

  Turbinaria Cup Coral

  Turbinaria

  13.8 in (35 cm)20 gal (75 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)

• 

  Duncan Coral

  Duncanopsammia axifuga

  7.9 in (20 cm)11 gal (40 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)

• 

  Sun Coral

  Tubastraea

  7.9 in (20 cm)20 gal (75 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)

• 

  Broccoli Tree Coral

  Litophyton

  11.8 in (30 cm)11 gal (40 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)