Meteor Shower Cyphastrea

Cyphastrea sp

Saltwater Coral Species Group: Cyphastrea Family: Faviidae

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Water parameters

Temp 76-80 F Temperature

Maintaining a stable and appropriate temperature is critical for the survival of aquatic life.

 pH 7.8 - 8.4 potential of Hydrogen

Measuring the acidity or alkalinity of water on a 0–14 scale, where 7 is neutral, 7 is alkaline.

 NO3 1-20 ppm Nitrate

While less toxic than ammonia, high nitrate levels (above 40–80 ppm) are important to monitor because they can cause fish stress, stunted growth, and harmful algae blooms.

 NO2 <0.0001 ppm Nitrite

It is a highly toxic, intermediate compound in the nitrogen cycle produced from broken-down ammonia

 PO4 0.01 - 0.1 ppm Phosphate

It is essential for plant development but must be managed, as excess levels trigger nuisance algae blooms and inhibit coral calcification.

 NH3 <0.1 ppm Ammonia

It is the primary killer of aquarium fish, causing gill damage, stress, and death

 Ca 380 - 450 ppm Calcium

Supporting the growth, skeletal structure, and shell formation of corals, mollusks, crustaceans, and coralline algae

 KH 8 - 12 dKH Alkalinity

It acts as a shield, neutralizing acids to prevent dangerous pH "crashes" that can harm fish, corals, and plants.

 Mg 1200 - 1400 ppm Magnesium

It enables coral growth by supporting skeletal formation, assists in metabolic processes, and ensures that calcium is available for corals, clams, and coralline algae.

 SG 1.023 - 1.026 SG Salinity

Essential for maintaining stable, natural water parameters, proper osmoregulation, and stress-free environments for marine fish and corals

 ORP 250 - 400 mV Oxidation-Reduction Potential

A higher positive mV indicates clean, oxygen-rich water with high water quality, while low readings indicate high pollution.

About Meteor Shower Cyphastrea

General information

In general, species from Cyphastrea are fast growing when you compare it to other mound-building corals. They usually grow in an encrusting form and can visually see a difference in size within 6 months. Newbies can cultivate Cyphastrea since they are easy to care and maintain. They can grow in a wide range of water condition and are noted to survive even in low nutrient level.

For the Meteor Shower Cyphastrea they are predominatly colored light blue with light pink circles at the tips and yellow mouth. This are the water parameters for cultivating Meteor Shower Cyphastrea:

  • Calcium: 420 – 440 ppm
  • Alkalinity: 2.8 – 3.39 MEQ/L (8 – 9.5 dKH)
  • Phosphates: < 0.1 ppm
  • Nitrates: > 10 ppm
  • Magnesium: 1260 – 1350
  • pH: 8.1 – 8.4
  • Temperature: 75° – 80° F (23° – 27° C)
  • Salinity / Specific Gravity: 1.024 – 1.026 but ideally at 1.025 for maximum growth

Note: incase you have an algal outbreak in your tank, all you need to do is to gradually increase the magnesium level at 1400 – 1600 ppm. We also recommend doing a water change to combat the negative effects, especially if the nitrate level exceed 10 ppm.

Diet & nutrition

While they enjoy the photosynthetic benefits brought by the symbiotic zooxanthellae living inside them, Meteor Shower Cyphastrea still needs supplemental feeding such as mysis, artemia, copepods and other nauplii.

Determining sex

A mature tank is highly recommended in propagating Meteor Shower Cyphastrea. In setting them in the tank, you need to place them over an exposed rock where they can start their encrusting process. Putty or gel glue can be used to firmly mount them. For best results, we recommend you place them in the lower portion of the tank where there is moderate water flow and moderate lighting.

Breeding & spawning

The Meteor Shower Cyphastrea DOES NOT require strong water flow and intense lighting. Usually placing them on the lower level of the tank would do the trick.

Origination

The Meteor Shower Cyphastrea is widely spread throughout the waters of the Indo-Pacific Ocean.

Cautions

Do not place the Meteor Shower Cyphastrea on the upper part of the tank. By doing so, you will expose them to high water flow and intense lighting, which in effect, causes a stunted growth.

Acclimation process

Meteor Shower Cyphastrea are purely marine, therefore, salinity must be maintained thoroughly at 1.024 to 1.026 specific gravity. But for best results, maintan the salinity at 1.205 specific gravity. They should be placed in their permanent position immediately after acclimation to facilitate the encrusting process.

All photos

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