Blue Cespitularia

Cespitularia sp

Saltwater Coral Species Group: Cespitularia Soft Coral Family: Xeniidae

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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 Blue Cespitularia

General information

Cespitularia is a type of soft corals that has several long stem and incorporated in just a single branch. Their polyps are long and elegantly designed making them one of the most preferred aquarium piece. This is on top of the fact that they are easy to care.

As for the Blue Cespitularia, they are predominantly colored blue with yellow cream polyps. This are the water parameters for cultivating Blue Cespitularia:

  • Calcium: 420 – 440 ppm
  • Alkalinity: 2.86 – 4.259 MEQ/L (8 – 12 dKH)
  • Phosphates: > 0.10 mg/L
  • Magnesium: 1260 – 1350
  • Strontium: 8 -10 mg/L
  • Temperature: 72° – 78° F (22° – 26° C)
  • Salinity / Specific Gravity: 1.023 – 1.025
  • pH: 8.1 – 8.4

Diet & nutrition

While the Blue Cespitularia gets it primary nourishment from a symbiotic zooxanthellae living within its tissues, thye require supplemental feeding like mysis or brine shrimp.

Determining sex

The Blue Cespitularia should be set either at the bottom or at the middle part of the tank.

Breeding & spawning

The Blue Cespitularia only requires moderate lighting and moderate waterflow.

Origination

The Blue Cespitularia can be found in the waters of the Indo-Pacific Ocean.

Cautions

The Blue Cespitularia are susceptible during shipment and transportation where most of them shows high mortality rates.

Acclimation process

Careful and prolonged acclimation is required by the Blue Cespitularia.

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