Coral Care Info Platygyra

Natural Habitat and Location in the Wild

Platygyra corals are found in the Indo-Pacific region, including Australia, Indonesia, the Red Sea, Fiji, and the Great Barrier Reef. They thrive in lagoonal reefs, shallow reef slopes, and deeper water environments, where they attach to rocky substrates under moderate lighting and gentle water flow.

Why Choose Platygyra for Your Reef Tank?

• Unique Maze-Like Growth Pattern – Adds a distinctive, textured look to your reef.
• Moderate Growth Rate – Forms encrusting or dome-shaped structures over time.
• Semi-Hardy LPS Coral – Tolerates minor parameter fluctuations but prefers stable conditions.
• Moderate Aggression – Requires spacing from neighboring corals due to its sweeper tentacles.

Optimal Water Parameters

Stable water conditions help ensure the best health and coloration for Platygyra:

Regular water changes (10-15% weekly) help maintain stability and prevent nutrient imbalances.

Tank Size and Setup

• Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons or larger.
• Placement: Prefers mid to lower areas of the tank, allowing space for polyp expansion.
• Substrate Considerations: Best placed on rockwork or a stable surface, avoiding sharp edges that can damage its tissue.

Lighting Requirements

Platygyra corals thrive under moderate lighting, which enhances their fluorescence while preventing stress.

• PAR Range: 80-150 PAR
• Lighting Type: LED, T5, or hybrid setups with blue-spectrum emphasis.
• Lighting Schedule: 8-10 hours per day, with gradual intensity transitions.

Water Flow and Circulation

• Moderate, indirect water flow ensures proper polyp expansion and prevents detritus buildup.
• Avoid strong, direct currents, which can cause tissue recession.
• Randomized flow patterns help mimic natural reef environments.

Feeding and Nutrition

Platygyra benefits from both photosynthesis and direct feeding, absorbing nutrients through its polyps.

• Preferred Foods: Mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, reef roids, and amino acids.
• Feeding Frequency: 2-3 times per week enhances growth and coloration.
• Best Feeding Method: Target feeding at night when tentacles extend.

Tank Mates and Compatibility

• Safe Companions: Clownfish, gobies, blennies, shrimp, and snails.
• Caution With: Other LPS corals—Platygyra has aggressive sweeper tentacles that can sting nearby corals.
• Avoid: Aggressive fish like certain angelfish and butterflyfish, which may nip at polyps.

Growth Rate and Propagation

• Moderate growth rate, expanding as an encrusting or dome-shaped structure.
• Fragging Method: Use a bandsaw or bone cutter to create clean fragments for propagation.

Common Diseases and How to Prevent Them

• Brown Jelly Disease – A bacterial infection requiring iodine dips and improved water quality.
• Tissue Recession – Often caused by unstable parameters or excessive flow.
• Algae Overgrowth – Can smother the coral if excess nutrients are present.

Handling and Acclimation

• Drip acclimation is recommended to gradually adjust the coral to new water conditions.
• Minimize handling, as tissue damage can lead to infection.

Maintenance and Cleaning

• Perform weekly water changes (10-15%) to maintain water quality.
• Remove detritus buildup around the coral to prevent bacterial infections.

Signs of Stress and How to Address Them

• Shrunken or receding tissue – May indicate poor water quality, excessive flow, or aggression from nearby corals.
• Faded or bleached coloration – Reduce light intensity and increase feeding.
• Overgrowth on unwanted areas – Frag and relocate colonies to prevent excessive spread.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• Bleaching – Caused by excessive light exposure; move to a lower-light area.
• Pest Infestation – Inspect regularly for flatworms, nudibranchs, or parasitic snails.
• Slow Growth – Increase target feeding and ensure stable alkalinity and calcium levels.