Gold Leptastrea

Leptastrea sp

Saltwater Coral Species Group: Leptastrea 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 Gold Leptastrea

General information

In general, corals from genus Leptastrea usually takes the form of encrusting to massive types. They have corallites that are cerioid in shape and colonies that are flat and angular. Their septa has a distinct cycle pattern that forms granulated sides and margins. They are one of the species of corals where their tentacles extends even if it is daytime.

For the Gold Leptastrea, they are predominatly colored pink with yellowmouth. This are the water parameters for cultivating Gold Leptastrea:

  • Calcium: 400 – 450 ppm
  • Alkalinity: 2.86 – 3.93 MEQ/L (8 – 11 dKH)
  • Phosphates: 0
  • Magnesium: 1200 – 1350
  • Strontium: 8 -10
  • Temperature: 74° – 83° F (23° – 28° C)
  • Salinity / Specific Gravity: 1.023 – 1.025

Diet & nutrition

Gold Leptastrea can survive without feeding courtesy from the nourishment it recieves from the symbiotic zooxanthellae that is living within them. However, they will not grow in to a bigger colony. With this and for faster growth, you need to feed them with supplemental foods like krill, mysis or brine shrimp. The addition of dissolved organics is also recommended.

Determining sex

A mature tank is highly recommended in propagating Gold Leptastrea. They need to be set at the bottom portion of the tank where lighting and flow rate are in moderation.

Breeding & spawning

Gold Leptastrea requires moderate lighting and moderate water flow. Too much water flow causes the polyps to be retracted and feeding cannot take place.

Diseases

Gold Leptastrea is susceptible to hair algae. This usually occurs if the water flow is too low or not sufficient.

Origination

Gold Leptastrea can be found in the Indo-west Pacific Ocean. However, their global population is considered vulnerable due to increasing seawater temperature and other factors associated with climate change. They are now listed under Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), which means that their global trading is now monitored.

Cautions

Gold Leptastrea must be set in the tank with enough spacing in relation to other coral species.

Acclimation process

Since the Gold Leptastrea are a marine species, salinity must be entirely maintained at 1.023 to 1.025 specific gravity. They should be immediately set to its receiving substrate like rocks and be permanently positioned using gel glue so that the colonization process can commence.

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