Elegance Coral Care Guide: Catalaphyllia Jardinei Tips
Elegance Coral (Catalaphyllia jardinei): A Graceful Powerhouse for Your Reef
The Elegance Coral truly lives up to its name, showcasing long, flowing tentacles and a vividly colored central mouth in shades of green, pink, gold, or purple. Native to sandy reef slopes of the Indo-Pacific, it’s a striking large-polyped stony (LPS) coral that can become a stunning centerpiece in your tank.
While once considered easy to care for, certain strains—especially from Indonesia—have proven more sensitive in today’s aquariums. Australian specimens tend to adapt better. These corals thrive in low to moderate flow and lighting (PAR 100–150), and should be placed on sand beds with plenty of space to expand—safely away from other corals they might sting with their sweeper tentacles.
Elegance Corals are primarily photosynthetic but benefit from occasional target feeding of mysis shrimp or reef-safe frozen foods. They can reach up to 12 inches (30 cm) in diameter when fully open, adding movement, color, and personality to the lower levels of your reef.
Care Tips
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Flow & Light: Low to moderate flow, moderate light
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Placement: Sand bed, away from neighbors
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Feeding: Optional weekly feedings of meaty foods
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Water Quality: Stable parameters with controlled nutrients
Have you kept one? Share your setup and care tips in the comments—let’s grow the reefing community together!
Happy Reefing!