Double Star Coral (LPS) (Diploastrea heliopora)

Double Star Coral (LPS) Diploastrea heliopora
Name	Double Star Coral (LPS)
Name Lat.	Diploastrea heliopora
Family	Diploastreids
Family lat.	Diploastreidae
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	Semi-aggressive
Keeping	Colony
Care Level	Moderate
Life Span	N/A
Protection	CITES Appendix II; EC Annex B
Metric Units
Size	< 20 cm
Temperature	23-28 °C
Salinity	33-36 ‰
Aquarium	200 l
US Units
Size	< 7.9"
Temperature	73-82 °F
Salinity	1.020-1.025 sg
Aquarium	50 gal

Distribution and habitat

The Diploastrea heliopora belongs to the group of LPS (Large Polyp Scleractinia). This reef-building coral is widespread in the Red Sea and tropical Indian Ocean from the east coast of Africa to Indonesia, and in the Pacific Ocean from Japan to Australia and from Borneo to Fiji. They live in all reef habitats with stronger currents down to 30 m depth.

Maintenance

They should be positioned in a place with higher light intensity and moderately strong, alternating current. 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: 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, magnesium, strontium and iodine 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 reproduced conditionally 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

They occur in monotypic populations with colonies up to several meters in diameter. The additional illumination with actinic light (short-wave, violet-blue light) is very beneficial for their growth (zooxanthellae).

A calcium reactor and a magnesium dosing 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 accustomed 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: Alex Rinesch

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