WWC Strawberry Branching Cyphastrea

Quick Stats

• Care Level: Moderate
• Coral Type: SPS (Small Polyp Stony)
• Lighting Requirement: Low (75-150 PAR)
• Flow: Moderate
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Placement: Rockwork
• Approximate Purchase Size: 1/2"-3/4"

Overview

The WWC Strawberry Branching Cyphastrea is a showstopper that blends incredible structure with vibrant colors. Featuring long, snaking pinkish-blue branches adorned with bright strawberry-red polyps, its striking appearance and unique growth pattern make it a standout piece for any reef tank. This coral thrives in low-light, lower flow environments, making it ideal for placement at the bottom of your reef. It’s a fantastic choice for reef keepers who want to add texture and vivid contrast.

Note: This is not a WYSIWYG listing. Photo is a representation of the shape, size, and color of the coral you will receive.

Water Parameters

This coral thrives in stable water conditions with regular water changes. Corals with a skeleton base, like this one, will consume calcium and alkalinity as they grow, often requiring additional supplementation. Routine water testing helps ensure these needs are consistently met.

• Specific Gravity (Salinity): 1.025-1.026
• Temperature: 75-78 Degrees F
• pH: 8.1-8.4
• Alkalinity: 8-9.5 dKH
• Calcium: 400-450ppm
• Magnesium: 1300-1450ppm
• Nitrate (NO3): 10-25ppm
• Phosphate: 0.01-0.1ppm
• Nitrite (NO2): Undetectable
• Ammonia (NH3): Undetectable

Lighting Requirements

This coral prefers low light areas of the aquarium, ideally in the 75-150 PAR range. With this particular coral, it's best to place it in the lower end of that range first and slowly acclimate it to different light levels to reduce the chance of bleaching. For reef keepers with mixed reef tanks, a PAR meter is invaluable for fine-tuning light levels across different corals, helping ensure each coral gets the right intensity for its needs. This careful setup supports the coral’s vibrant color and long-term health.

Ideal Tank Placement

This coral is best placed near the bottom of the aquarium. Directly onto the rockwork or on the tank glass in a bare bottom setup are both great options. Place it in an area that gets just enough flow to prevent detritus from settling onto the coral. 

Water Flow Requirements

Lower water flow is ideal. Aim for water movement that’s enough to keep debris from collecting on the surface of the coral.

Aggressiveness and Compatibility

It's important to give this coral room to grow. Like most corals, it will fight with any other corals it comes into direct contact with.

Feeding and Nutrition

While this coral primarily relies on photosynthesis for energy, it can benefit from occasional target feedings with SPS specific coral foods and Amino Acids like CoralAmino. These supplemental feedings can support faster growth and better coloration, making it easy to get the most out of this colorful coral.

Growth Rate and Pattern

This coral is a steady grower with a compact branching growth pattern. The base of the coral will encrust over the rockwork as it grows out.

Acclimation Process

Acclimation is essential for corals to adjust to their new environment. For a full step-by-step process, refer to our Coral Acclimation Guide.