Bubble Coral care guide
Bubble Coral (Plerogyra sinuosa) — reef coral, 24-26 °C, PAR 50-125, salinity 1.024-1.026.
Overview
The Bubble Coral (Plerogyra sinuosa) is an LPS in the family Euphylliidae. During the day inflated grape-like vesicles cover the skeleton; at night the vesicles deflate and long sweeper tentacles extend to feed and to defend the colony.
Taxonomy
- Family: Euphylliidae
- Genus: Plerogyra
- Scientific name: Plerogyra sinuosa
- Common synonyms: Pearl Coral, Grape Bubble
Habitat
Widespread across the tropical Indo-Pacific. Wild colonies occur on protected reef slopes and shaded ledges at moderate depth, where light is filtered and water movement is gentle.
Tank requirements
- Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-79 °F)
- Salinity (SG): 1.024-1.026
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- Alkalinity (dKH): 8-11
- Calcium: 400-450 ppm
- Magnesium: 1280-1350 ppm
- Phosphate (max): 0.03 ppm
- Nitrate (max): 5 ppm
Placement and lighting
- Lighting (PAR): 50-125 PAR
- Flow: low
- Recommended tank age: 3 months
- Growth rate: 0.1-0.3 cm/mo
Mount on rockwork in the lower to middle aquarium with low flow and moderate light. Strong flow prevents bubble inflation; sharp objects can puncture the vesicles, so place on smooth substrate.
Feeding
Photosynthetic with strong response to spot-feeding after lights-out, when the sweeper tentacles extend. Feed mysis, brine shrimp or reef-roids one to two times per week.
Compatibility
Aggressive — sweeper tentacles can damage neighbouring corals at night. Allow a generous buffer around the colony. Reef-safe with shrimp and fish.
Care notes
Avoid handling the vesicles, which puncture easily. Keep alkalinity stable; sudden swings cause vesicle deflation that may persist for days.