Elegance Coloured Tips

Description

The Elegance Coral is one of the most striking large polyp stony (LPS) corals available in the marine aquarium hobby. It features long, flowing tentacles with brightly colored tips surrounding a vibrant central mouth, creating beautiful movement in the aquarium. Available in shades of green, purple, pink, yellow and bi-color combinations, Elegance Corals make an impressive centerpiece and are best suited to established reef aquariums with stable water parameters.

Care Guide

Scientific Name: Catalaphyllia jardinei
Common Name: Elegance Coral
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Placement: Sand bed or lower rockwork
Lighting: Moderate (80–150 PAR)
Flow: Low to moderate, gentle indirect flow
Growth Rate: Moderate

Water Parameters

• Temperature: 24–26°C
• Salinity: 1.025–1.026 SG
• pH: 8.1–8.4
• Alkalinity: 8–9 dKH
• Calcium: 420–450 ppm
• Magnesium: 1300–1400 ppm
• Nitrate: 2–15 ppm
• Phosphate: 0.02–0.08 ppm

Feeding

Although Elegance Corals obtain much of their energy from photosynthesis, they benefit from regular feeding:

• Mysis shrimp
• Brine shrimp
• Chopped seafood
• Reef roids or similar fine coral foods

Feed 1–2 times per week for optimal growth and coloration.

Placement

Elegance Corals naturally rest on sandy substrates rather than attached to rock. Place them on the sand bed where the fleshy tissue cannot rub against sharp rocks or skeletons. Allow plenty of surrounding space as they can extend long sweeper tentacles.

Compatibility

• Compatible with most reef-safe fish.
• May sting nearby corals with long sweeper tentacles.
• Leave at least 15–20 cm (6–8 inches) between the Elegance Coral and neighboring corals.
• Avoid housing with coral-nipping fish such as some butterflyfish and large angelfish.

Helpful Tips

• Introduce slowly to brighter lighting using light acclimation.
• Maintain stable alkalinity and salinity to prevent stress.
• Gentle, indirect flow keeps the tentacles moving without damaging the tissue.
• Avoid placing the fleshy tissue against rocks or sharp surfaces.
• Healthy Elegance Corals display full daytime extension, vibrant coloration and a strong feeding response.

The Elegance Coral is a spectacular centerpiece coral that rewards stable reef conditions with impressive size, flowing movement and brilliant coloration, making it a favorite among LPS enthusiasts.