Seriatopora hystrix

Dana, 1846

Thin Birds Nest Coral

Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: Widespread.

Natural Environment: Inhabits upper reef slopes/intertidal reef flats and usually seen at depths between 3 to 50 feet (1 - 15 m).

General Husbandry: Very common in the trade.

As to placement in the aquarium, swift water movement and very bright light is necessary to keep this commonly found coral looking its best.

Almost always seen in the trade being bright pink, therefore best initial placement is where it will receive light valued at about PAR 450. If feasible, after its acclimated, movement to even higher PAR locations is recommend, as very bright light is important to it maintaining its color. If light intensity is too weak, it will, overtime, become a cream/brown color.

Capable of producing its nutritional needs via photosynthesis, yet benefits from once or twice a week feedings of various plankton-like foods, such as Oyster eggs, cyclops, baby brine shrimp, Spirulina, enriched adult brine shrimp and mysis.

Even though deemed 'peaceful' it has short 1 inch (2.5 cm) sweeper tentacles, therefore give sufficient distance between it and neighboring corals.

Taxonomy:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Cnidaria

Class: Anthozoa

Subclass: Hexacorallia

Order: Scleractinia

Family: Pocilloporidae

Genus: Seriatopora

FYI: In the wild, usually pink, yet in somewhat deeper waters, cream, blue or green.

Experience Level: Intermediate

Diet: Photosynthetic/Plankton feeder

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: Hardy

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 - 83°F (23 - 28°C)

Minimum Tank Size: 100 gallons

Lighting: PAR 350 - 550+

Water Movement: WM 3

Specific Gravity: 1.023 - 1.025

pH: 8.0 - 8.4

Iodine/Trace Elements Monitor/as necessary to maintain quality seawater.