Balanophyllia Cup Coral Care Guide

Balanophyllia is a solitary, non-photosynthetic cup coral related to Tubastraea; bright orange-yellow and dependent on frequent feeding.

Overview

Balanophyllia is a genus of solitary stony corals in the family Dendrophylliidae. It is a non-photosynthetic (azooxanthellate) cup coral: it lacks symbiotic zooxanthellae and instead captures food from the water column. Aquarium specimens are typically bright orange or yellow, and the genus is a close relative of Tubastraea, sharing its feeding-dependent care.

Taxonomy

• Order: Scleractinia
• Family: Dendrophylliidae
• Genus: Balanophyllia (Wood, 1844)
• Scientific name: Balanophyllia sp.
• Common name: Cup Coral

Habitat

The genus contains roughly 70 species occurring across the Mediterranean, Atlantic and Pacific, from shallow to deep water. As solitary corals, they grow as individual cup-shaped polyps rather than colonies, and are often found in shaded or low-light positions consistent with their non-photosynthetic biology.

Tank requirements

• Salinity: 1.024–1.026 SG
• Temperature: 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
• pH: 8.1–8.4
• dKH (alkalinity): 8–11
• Calcium: 400–450 ppm
• Magnesium: 1280–1350 ppm
• Nitrate: below 20 ppm; phosphate below 0.15 ppm
• Lighting: low (0–50 PAR)
• Flow: medium
• Minimum tank age: about 6 months

Feeding

Feeding is essential. As an NPS coral, Balanophyllia must be fed meaty foods such as mysis and reef-roids, with amino acids, multiple times per week, since this is its main nutrition. It also captures planktonic particles and can absorb dissolved organic matter. Because of the food load, good filtration and substantial water changes are needed, making it a coral for advanced aquarists.

Compatibility

Balanophyllia is passive but has stinging tentacles used to capture food, so neighbouring corals should not be placed within reach. It is considered reef-, shrimp- and fish-safe.