Diaseris Plate Care Guide

Diaseris Plate (Cycloseris distorta) is a LPS coral. Care covers 50-150 PAR, low flow, reef parameters and feeding; intermediate level.

Overview

Diaseris Plate (Cycloseris distorta) is a LPS coral in the family Fungiidae. Tiny disc-coral often fragmenting naturally; produces multiple daughter polyps. Hardy if fed.

Taxonomy

Family: Fungiidae
Genus: Cycloseris
Scientific name: Cycloseris distorta
Common synonyms: Cycloseris distorta

Habitat

In the wild, Cycloseris distorta is reported from Indo-Pacific, where it occupies mid to lower reef slopes and lagoons (typically 5-30 m). The species adopts a plating growth form on hard substrate within zooxanthellate reef communities.

Tank requirements

Salinity (specific gravity): 1.024-1.026
Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-79 °F)
pH: 8.1-8.4
Carbonate hardness (dKH): 8-11
Calcium: 400-450 ppm
Magnesium: 1280-1350 ppm
Phosphate (max): 0.03 ppm
Nitrate (max): 5 ppm
Minimum system age: 3 months

Placement and lighting

PAR (placement zone): 50-150 PAR
Water flow: low

As a free-living plate coral, place this specimen directly on the sand bed rather than on rock; it can inflate, shift position, and right itself if toppled. Keep flow gentle and indirect — strong jets tear the expanded tissue — and avoid letting it slide against rock or other corals, where abrasion invites infection.

Feeding

Cycloseris distorta hosts symbiotic zooxanthellae and derives most of its energy through photosynthesis. Supplemental target feeding accelerates growth and supports colouration; commonly accepted items include mysis, reef-roids. Feed once or twice per week after lights-out, when polyps are extended.

Compatibility

This coral is passive toward neighbours. Reef-safe with most fish and invertebrates.

Care notes

Difficulty level: intermediate. Reported skeletal growth in well-tuned reef tanks is approximately 0.1-0.3 cm/month. Propagation by fragmentation is straightforward for plating colonies — separate branches or polyps with a bone cutter, glue to plug, allow 1-2 weeks for healing. Maintain stable alkalinity (avoid swings above ±0.5 dKH per day) to preserve tissue health.