Golden Stylophora pistillata
Stylophora pistillata
Saltwater Coral
Species Group: Stylophora
Family: Pocilloporidae
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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 HydrogenMeasuring the acidity or alkalinity of water on a 0–14 scale, where 7 is neutral, 7 is alkaline.
NO3 1-20 ppm NitrateWhile 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 NitriteIt is a highly toxic, intermediate compound in the nitrogen cycle produced from broken-down ammonia
PO4 0.01 - 0.1 ppm PhosphateIt is essential for plant development but must be managed, as excess levels trigger nuisance algae blooms and inhibit coral calcification.
NH3 <0.1 ppm AmmoniaIt is the primary killer of aquarium fish, causing gill damage, stress, and death
Ca 380 - 450 ppm CalciumSupporting the growth, skeletal structure, and shell formation of corals, mollusks, crustaceans, and coralline algae
KH 8 - 12 dKH AlkalinityIt acts as a shield, neutralizing acids to prevent dangerous pH "crashes" that can harm fish, corals, and plants.
Mg 1200 - 1400 ppm MagnesiumIt 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 SalinityEssential for maintaining stable, natural water parameters, proper osmoregulation, and stress-free environments for marine fish and corals
ORP 250 - 400 mV Oxidation-Reduction PotentialA higher positive mV indicates clean, oxygen-rich water with high water quality, while low readings indicate high pollution.
About Golden Stylophora pistillata
General information
In general, corals coming from the genus Stylophora usually has a branching type of coral growth. Depending on the species, their finger-like branches are highly variable when it comes to length and width. Their colony usually forms a dome with a depression at the middle which looks similar to a bird’s nest.
For the Golden Stylophora pistillata, they are predominatly colored yellow with green tentacles. This are the water parameters for cultivating Golden Stylophora pistillata:
- Calcium: 400 – 450 ppm
- Alkalinity: 3.2 – 4.8 MEQ/L (8 – 11 dKh)
- Phosphates: 0
- Magnesium: 1200 – 1350
- Strontium: 10
- Temperature: 74° – 83° F (23° – 28° C)
- Salinity / Specific Gravity: 1.023 – 1.025
Diet & nutrition
Majority of the nourishment of the Golden Stylophora pistillata comes from the photosynthetic activity of the symbiotic zooxanthellae living within their tissues. On top of this, we recommend you still do supplemental feeding by adding mysis and brine shrimp. They also have the ability to absrob nutrients in the water. So, adding dissolved nutrients is also important.
Determining sex
A mature tank is highly recommended in propagating Golden Stylophora pistillata. They must be set on the upper portion of the tank.
Breeding & spawning
The Golden Stylophora pistillata requires moderate lighting and strong water flow. However, if your specimen is a newly acquired thin branch, DO NOT expose them to strong water flow. Otherwise, they will not adopt to their new environment and will not grow.
Origination
The Golden Stylophora pistillata can be found in the waters of the Indo-Pacific Ocean. Their population in the wild is dwindling where they are now considered as a threatened species listed under Appendix II of the CITES list which means that their international trade is monitored.
Cautions
Do not be alarmed if you see crabs thriving within the colony of the Golden Stylophora pistillata. They have a symbiotic relationship with small crabs, particularly the gall-forming crab Hapalocarcinus marsupialis.
Acclimation process
Golden Stylophora pistillata are purely marine, therefore, salinity must be maintained thoroughly at 1.023 to 1.025 specific gravity.
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