🌟 Elegance Coral Overview

Common Name: Elegance Coral
Scientific Name: Catalaphyllia jardinei
Family: Euphylliidae

Elegance Coral is a stunning and highly sought-after LPS (Large Polyp Stony) coral, renowned for its large, graceful polyps that give it a beautiful, flowing appearance. Its soft, fleshy tentacles can range from vivid greens, blues, and purples, creating a mesmerizing and elegant display in any reef tank. Elegance Corals are often admired for their ability to move and flow with the current, giving them an ethereal quality. Due to their vibrant coloration and soft, delicate appearance, they are one of the most visually striking corals in a reef aquarium.

Native to the Indo-Pacific region, Elegance Corals prefer moderate to high lighting and stable water conditions. They are somewhat delicate and require careful attention to their placement and water parameters, but when given the right environment, they can thrive and grow into beautiful specimens. As they are relatively slow-growing, they make excellent additions to well-established reef tanks.

🌊 Water Parameters

• Temperature: 75°F – 80°F (24°C – 27°C)
• Salinity (Specific Gravity): 1.023 – 1.025
• pH: 8.1 – 8.4
• Alkalinity: 8 – 12 dKH
• Calcium: 400 – 450 ppm
• Magnesium: 1250 – 1350 ppm
• Phosphate: < 0.03 ppm
• Nitrate: 2 – 10 ppm
• Ammonia & Nitrite: 0 ppm

💡 Lighting Requirements

Elegance Corals prefer moderate to high lighting conditions. These corals are photosynthetic and rely on the symbiotic relationship with zooxanthellae for energy production. Adequate lighting will encourage healthy growth and vibrant coloration, but it is important not to expose them to excessive lighting, as it may cause stress or bleaching.

• PAR Range: 150–300
  • Moderate to high light (150–250 PAR) is ideal for Elegance Corals
  • Too much light (over 300 PAR) can cause stress and bleaching, so acclimate them gradually to stronger lighting
• Spectrum: 14,000K–20,000K spectrum for best coloration and growth
• Photoperiod: 8–10 hours per day of light

Lighting Tip: Use LED or T5 lighting systems with a blue-heavy spectrum to enhance the fluorescence of Elegance Corals and maintain their vibrant colors.

🌬️ Flow Requirements

Elegance Corals prefer moderate, gentle to moderate flow in their environment. While they are capable of tolerating some water movement, they generally thrive best in areas with low to moderate current that allows their polyps to gently sway, creating an elegant look. Strong, turbulent water flow can cause the coral to retract its polyps or damage its tissue.

• Flow Type: Gentle, non-turbulent, alternating flow
• Too Much Flow: May cause the coral to retract or cause tissue damage
• Too Little Flow: Can lead to the accumulation of detritus and reduced polyp extension

🍽️ Feeding Requirements

Elegance Corals are primarily photosynthetic but will benefit from occasional feeding of small planktonic foods or coral-specific supplements, particularly in aquariums with low nutrient levels or low lighting. Supplemental feeding can encourage vibrant growth and improved coloration, especially in tanks where natural food sources are limited.

What to Feed:

• Phytoplankton
• Zooplankton
• Fine particulate coral foods
• Frozen foods such as brine shrimp or copepods

Feeding Frequency:

• Light Feeding: Once a week
• Growth Feeding: 2-3 times per week depending on system nutrients

Feeding Tip: Feed during the evening when polyps are most extended. This coral is best fed with fine, suspended foods that it can capture easily with its extended polyps.

📍 Placement Tips

• Tank Position: Elegance Corals are best placed on stable rock ledges or on the substrate in areas where they will receive moderate to high light and gentle flow. Ensure that the coral has room to expand and is not in direct competition with other aggressive corals.
• Tankmates: They are relatively peaceful but should not be placed too close to aggressive corals, as they may be stung by other species. Keep them away from corals with long, stinging tentacles or fast-growing species that could overshadow them.
• Growth Behavior: Elegance Corals grow slowly but steadily, so give them ample space to expand. Regularly check to ensure that they are not being crowded or overtaken by neighboring corals.

🔧 Care & Maintenance Tips

• Regularly monitor water parameters, particularly calcium, magnesium, and alkalinity, as these levels directly affect coral health and growth.
• Maintain stable water parameters, especially temperature and salinity, to prevent stress on the coral.
• Be cautious of sudden changes in light or flow conditions, as these can stress the coral and cause it to retract its polyps.
• Periodically inspect the coral for pests or signs of disease, particularly at the base where it connects to the substrate.