Sun Coral

Names & Synonyms

• CommonSun Coral
• Commonサンゴイソギンチャク（サンコーラル）
• SynonymAgatheliopsis
• SynonymAstropsammia
• SynonymAustralopsammia
• SynonymCoenopsammia
• SynonymPachypsammia

Overview

Sun coral (genus Tubastraea, family Dendrophylliidae) is an azooxanthellate cup coral containing no symbiotic algae and therefore deriving all nutrition from active predation rather than photosynthesis. Its brilliant orange, yellow, or black polyps open like flowers to capture plankton, making it one of the most visually striking corals for shaded tank positions where photosynthetic corals cannot thrive. Native to reef walls and slopes of the Indo-Pacific, it often colonizes overhangs and cave ceilings. Successful husbandry demands frequent target feeding (three to five times weekly) with brine shrimp, mysis, or plankton, pausing flow to allow polyp extension during meals.

Care Specifications

Care Points

• Lighting—Not needed (non-photosynthetic)
• Flow—Moderate
• Feeding—Daily or every other day feeding required. Labor-intensive
• Placement—Shaded areas or under overhangs
• Notes—Neglecting feeding causes decline and death

Regulatory & Conservation

CITES:

Appendix II

Notes:

イシサンゴ目(Tubastraea, Dendrophylliidae)。和名サンゴイソギンチャクは俗称だが学名はイシサンゴ目=CITES 附属書II。

Sources

• AlgaeBarn: Water Parameters 101(careSpec)
• DOC NZ / CITES-listed corals (Scleractinia spp. = App. II)(regulatory)
• Wikipedia(detail)

Related corals of the same type

AcanthastreaアカンサストレアlpsBeginnerAn LPS coral with metallic colors in large polyps. Australian specimens are popular as premium pieces.Acan CoralアカンソフィリアlpsIntermediateAn LPS coral with rich colorful variations. Highly popular among collectors with many high-value specimens.Acanthophyllia (Meat Coral)アカントフィリアlpsIntermediateLPS coral with single massive polyp. Vivid red, green, blue colors earn it the 'Meat Coral' nickname. Impressive when fleshy tissue inflates fully.Acan LordアカンロードlpsIntermediateAn LPS coral with vivid multicolor patterns beautiful as jewels. Premium species popular among collectors.AlveoporaアルベオポラlpsIntermediateAn LPS coral with long tentacles similar to Goniopora. Hardier and easier to keep than Goniopora.War CoralウォーコーラルlpsBeginnerAn LPS coral with distinctive rugged appearance. Also called Favia, beautiful with fluorescent colors.

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External Databases

• WoRMS
• GBIF