Cup Coral (LPS) (Turbinaria spp.)

Cup Coral (LPS) Turbinaria spp.
Name	Cup Coral (LPS)
Name Lat.	Turbinaria spp.
Family	Branched Corals
Family lat.	Dendrophylliidae
Order	Stony Corals
Order lat.	Scleractinia
Origin	Indo-Pacific
Diet	Autotrophic, planktivore
pH	8.1-8.4
Hardness	8-12 °KH
Lighting	Medium - high
Current	Moderate
Behavior	Peaceful
Keeping	Colony
Care Level	Moderate
Life Span	N/A
Protection	CITES Appendix II; EC Annex B
Metric Units
Size	< 50 cm
Temperature	24-27 °C
Salinity	33-36 ‰
Aquarium	200 l
US Units
Size	< 20"
Temperature	75-81 °F
Salinity	1.020-1.025 sg
Aquarium	50 gal

Distribution and habitat

Turbinaria spp. belong to the group of LPS (Large Polyp Scleractinia). These reef-building corals are widespread in the Red Sea, tropical Indian and Pacific Oceans. They mostly live in the shallow waters of the intertidal zone up to 30 m water depth. According to their species and origin they occur in different growth forms and colors, in colonies up to 50 cm large. The picture shows a Turbinaria mesenterina.

Maintenance

They should be positioned in a location with moderate to strong light intensity and moderate, alternating flow

Only high-calcium, heavy metal-free substrates should be used as substrate. Filters, skimmers and heaters are necessary to ensure water quality, 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: 6-10 °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, magnesium and strontium 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

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. emperor or butterfly fish). 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

The corals are mostly brown, but the polyps, tentacles and peristomes are often brightly colored. They have separate corallites growing on either side of the leaf-like colony. Supplemental actinic light (short wavelength, violet-blue light) illumination is very beneficial to their growth (zooxanthellae). A calcium reactor and magnesium metering pump are recommended for the necessary steady 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: Christian Sänger; Image: Franz Lowak

Source: ENGELMANN & LANGE (2011): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Wirbellose, Verlag Harri Deutsch