Likely Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, to the Solomon Islands.
Natural Environment: Inhabits turbid or sheltered reef environments and usually seen at depths between 25 to 100 feet (8 - 30 m).
General Husbandry: Occasionally seen in the trade.
Best placed on bottom areas receiving medium indirect light and gentle water movement.
Even though capable of producing all its nutritional needs via photosynthesis/Nutrient absorption, micro plankton-like foodstuffs fed occasionally 'may' be beneficial/promote quicker growth.
Care should be taken as to its position in the aquarium, as this species is basically defenseless against other corals, even those not overly aggressive.
Taxonomy:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Cnidaria
Class: Anthozoa
Subclass: Hexacorallia
Order: Scleractinia
Family: Euphyllidae
Genus: Nemenzophyllia
FYI: Colonies may form large meandering, interconnected thin walled growths that are very fragile, and usually cream to pale green.
Only species in the genus. Close relative to the genus Physogyra.
Always select a specimen that does not have any kind of alga growth on any of its exposed skeleton surface, as it will cause the tissue to recede, usually leading to the animals demise sooner or later.
Do not remove a specimen with highly inflated tissue areas from the water as the weight of the water in the polyps may damage or tear its flesh lose from its skeleton material. Gently shake the specimen and allow the flesh to retract somewhat before removing.
Experience Level: Intermediate
Diet: Photosynthetic/Absorbs dissolved organic matter
Temperament: Peaceful
Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium
Coral Safe: With caution
Fish Safe: Yes
Invertebrate Safe: Yes
Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+
Aquarium Hardiness: Moderate
Calcium (Ca): 380 - 430 mg/l
Alkalinity: 2.5 - 3.0 meq/l
Phosphate (PO4): <0.05 mg/l
Magnesium (Mg): approx. 1350 mg/l (relate to specific gravity)
Strontium (Sr) 8 - 10 mg/l
Temperature Range: 72 - 82°F (22 - 27°C)
Minimum Tank Size: 50 gallons
Lighting: PAR 200 - 300
Water Movement: WM 1
Specific Gravity: 1.023 - 1.025
pH: 8.0 - 8.4
Iodine/Trace Elements Monitor/as necessary to maintain quality seawater.