Cauliflower Coral (SPS) (Pocillopora spp.)

Cauliflower Coral (SPS) Pocillopora spp.
Name	Cauliflower Coral (SPS)
Name Lat.	Pocillopora spp.
Family	Cauliflower Corals
Family lat.	Pocilloporidae
Order	Stony Corals
Order lat.	Scleractinia
Origin	Indo-Pacific
Diet	Autotrophic, planktivore
pH	8.1-8.4
Hardness	8-12 °KH
Lighting	High
Current	Strong
Behavior	Peaceful
Keeping	Colony
Care Level	Moderate
Life Span	N/A
Protection	CITES Appendix II; EC Annex B
Metric Units
Size	10-15 cm p.a.
Temperature	24-27 °C
Salinity	33-36 ‰
Aquarium	200 l
US Units
Size	3.9"-5.9" p.a.
Temperature	75-81 °F
Salinity	1.020-1.025 sg
Aquarium	50 gal

Distribution and habitat

Pocillopora spp. belongs to the group of SPS (Short Polyp Scleractinia). This reef-building coral is widely distributed in the tropical Indian and Pacific Oceans, where it occurs in small colonies to depths of 40 meters. They live in lagoons and on inner reefs protected from strong surf. The picture shows a Pocillopora damicornis.

Maintenance

They should be positioned in a place with high light intensity and strong, alternating current. Only lime-rich, heavy metal-free substrates should be used as substrate

To ensure water quality, filters, skimmers and heaters are necessary, as well as pumps to simulate tides, swells and bottom currents. It is recommended that live stones be used to set up the aquarium. The bacteria living in the porous stones act as a biological filter. The lighting must correspond to the species-appropriate day-night rhythm of the animals

Salinity: 33-36 ‰	pH value: 8.1-8.4
Carbonate hardness: 8-12 °KH	Nitrate content: 2-8 mg/l
calcium content: 420-450 mg/l	Nitrite content: 0.0-0.05 mg/l
Magnesium content: 1.250-1.350 mg/l	phosphate content: 0.01-0.1 mg/l

Regular addition of trace elements, especially calcium, is recommended. For salinity, an average value should be aimed for, which may only vary slightly by +/- 0.5 ‰. Ammonia and ammonium must not be measurable. Special attention shall be paid to consistently good water quality and water values.

Diet

Zooxanthellae, which are unicellular symbiotic algae, live in their tissue and provide them with assimilation products of their photosynthesis (high light requirement). The zooxanthellae promote growth and provide additional food to the plankton and small particles that are collected in large quantities from the water current. Thus, in addition to the food produced in the aquarium during fish feeding (mysis, krill, Artemia, etc.), commercially available supplementary food in the form of phyto- and zooplankton should be offered regularly

Regular and varied feeding promotes health and prevents deficiency symptoms.

Behaviour and compatibility

They should not be kept with fish that regard their polyps as food (e.g. angelfish or butterflyfish). They are well tolerated with other corals, but sufficient distance must be kept from cnidarians.

Reproduction and breeding

In nature, reproduction is sexual via marine larval stages. In the aquarium they can be propagated well by fragmentation. Fragments are fixed in the reef structure, e.g. with a good two-component coral glue (epoxy).

Species protection

Species protection: WA Appendix II; EU Appendix B. The proof of purchase is the required proof of origin for the animal. Please keep it safe! Your pet store will be happy to provide you with further information.

Important

Pocillopores are very fast growing and come in different colors and growth forms according to their species and origin. The additional illumination with actinic light (short-wave, violet-blue light) is very beneficial for their growth (zooxanthellae).

A calcium reactor and a magnesium metering pump are recommended for the necessary uniform supply of calcium carbonate and magnesium. Too high temperature, insufficient lighting or current as well as sudden change of water values can lead to tissue decay (RTN - rapid tissue necrosis). When purchasing, look for pressure marks or other tissue damage. Newly introduced animals must be acclimated slowly to the water in the aquarium

If different species are kept together, make sure that fish and invertebrates match each other in terms of water quality and temperature requirements as well as their social behavior, and that the setup meets the ecological needs of all species kept together

Further literature can be found in your pet store.

References

Text: petdata; Image: Franz Lowak

Source: VERON (2000): Corals of the world, Australian Institute of Marine Science; ENGELMANN & LANGE (2011): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Wirbellose, Verlag Harri Deutsch