Orchid Stylophora
Stylophora sp
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Water parameters
Water parameters are being added.
About Orchid Stylophora
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 Orchid Stylophora, they are predominatly colored yellow purple with white tentacles. This are the water parameters for cultivating Orchid Stylophora:
- 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 Orchid Stylophora 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 Orchid Stylophora. They must be set on the upper portion of the tank.
Breeding & spawning
The Orchid Stylophora 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 Orchid Stylophora 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 Orchid Stylophora. They have a symbiotic relationship with small crabs, particularly the gall-forming crab Hapalocarcinus marsupialis.
Acclimation process
Orchid Stylophora are purely marine, therefore, salinity must be maintained thoroughly at 1.023 to 1.025 specific gravity.
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