Meteor Shower Cyphastrea

Meteor Shower Cyphastrea: The Blue and Red Flasher

The Meteor Shower Cyphastrea (Cyphastrea species) is one of the most popular and visually dynamic Small Polyp Stony (SPS) corals, famed for its vivid, high-contrast coloration and relatively easy care requirements. This specific strain is beloved for its deep, vibrant blue or purple base that is thickly dotted with numerous bright, contrasting reddish-orange or reddish-pink polyps, resembling a meteor shower against a night sky.

The Meteor Shower Cyphastrea is an excellent encrusting coral, rapidly covering rockwork and providing deep color to the reef structure. Its growth form is typically massive and encrusting. The brightness of the polyps, which are usually extended, makes this coral fluoresce strongly under actinic (blue) lighting, creating a mesmerizing effect.

This coral is considered Easy to Moderate in care. It is highly adaptable to various lighting and flow conditions and is generally a much more forgiving SPS coral than Acropora or delicate Montipora species, making it an ideal choice for the beginner advancing to hard corals.

Diet & Compatibility:

• Diet: This coral is primarily Photosynthetic but is also a highly opportunistic Carnivore. It relies on zooxanthellae for most of its energy but actively feeds, often extending its polyps during the day and night.
• Feeding: Supplemental target feeding is highly beneficial for supporting growth, color vibrancy, and polyp extension. The polyps are large and highly receptive to fine particulate foods. Feed 2-3 times per week with fine foods, such as cyclops, rotifers, or commercial coral powders like Reef Roids and amino acid solutions.
• Reef Compatibility: It is Reef Safe and generally Passive. Cyphastrea species are non-aggressive and do not extend long, potent sweeper tentacles. However, as an encrusting coral, ensure aggressive LPS species (like Euphyllia) are not placed close enough to sting its tissue.
• Temperament: Peaceful toward fish and motile invertebrates, and Passive toward other corals. It thrives best on mid-to-lower rockwork where it receives moderate light and moderate, non-turbulent water flow. It can tolerate shaded areas better than many other SPS corals.
• Water Requirements: Requires stable parameters. The tank should be mature with low to moderate nutrient levels (Nitrate < 10 ppm, Phosphate < 0.1 ppm). Critical parameters: Alkalinity (dKH 8.0-10.0), Calcium (400-450 ppm), and Magnesium (1300-1450 ppm). Demands Moderate PAR lighting (100-250 PAR).

Quick Facts

• Scientific Name: Cyphastrea sp. (Specific Strain)
• Primary Common Name: Meteor Shower Cyphastrea
• Other Common Names: Blue Base Red Polyp Cyphastrea, Meteor Cyphastrea
• Origin: Cultured/Maricultured (Originals from the Indo-Pacific)
• Max Size: Can encrust indefinitely; forms large, plating sheets.
• Temperament: Peaceful (Passive toward other corals)
• Diet: Photosynthetic and Carnivore (Benefits from target feeding)
• Minimum Tank Size: 20 Gallons (Established reef)
• Reef Compatibility: Yes (Excellent, non-aggressive option for rockwork)
• Care Level: Easy to Moderate