Slipper Coral care guide
Slipper Coral (Polyphyllia talpina) — reef coral, 24-26 °C, PAR 75-175, salinity 1.024-1.026.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
The Slipper Coral (Polyphyllia talpina) is an elongated free-living LPS in the family Fungiidae. The skeleton is shaped like a slipper and is covered by dense short tentacles, with multiple mouths distributed along a central axis.
Taxonomy
- Family: Fungiidae
- Genus: Polyphyllia
- Scientific name: Polyphyllia talpina
- Common synonyms: Tongue Coral, Polyphyllia
Habitat
Native to the tropical Indo-Pacific, where colonies rest on soft sediment in lagoonal and back-reef habitats at moderate depth. Unlike most LPS, it is free-living and not attached to the reef rock.
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): 75-175 PAR
- Flow: low
- Recommended tank age: 3 months
- Growth rate: 0.1-0.3 cm/mo
Place directly on a sandy substrate in the lower third of the aquarium. Moderate light and gentle flow prevent tissue damage; avoid mounting on rock, which can lead to tissue tearing as the coral expands.
Feeding
Photosynthetic but accepts and benefits from spot-feeding with mysis or reef-roids weekly. The multiple mouths along the body each take small particles delivered directly with a pipette.
Compatibility
Passive and non-stinging. Suitable for mixed reef tanks alongside non-aggressive corals; keep clear of aggressive Euphylliidae and stinging nem-like anemones. Reef-safe with shrimp and fish.
Care notes
Provide a clear sandbed footprint and check periodically for grains lodged under the tissue. Sudden tissue retraction can indicate poor water quality or contact with neighbouring stinging corals.
Polyphyllia talpina Propagation Guide
Overview
Polyphyllia talpina, the slipper or tongue coral, is a free-living member of the family Fungiidae. Its colonies are free-living and elongate with an axial furrow that may become indistinct, and the upper surface is covered in long, numerous tentacles usually extended during the day. Unlike a single-mouthed Fungia, the centres (mouths) are evenly distributed over the upper surface, making it polystomatous.
Reproductive Mode
As a free-living fungiid, the species reproduces both sexually and asexually. Its elongate, many-mouthed body means that, unlike a small disc coral, sections of the body can support tissue and mouths of their own, which is relevant to asexual propagation.
Fragging / Asexual Propagation
Free-living fungiids are not cut into many small frags like colonial LPS, but Polyphyllia's elongate form can fragment, and detached sections bearing tissue and mouths can regenerate into separate individuals. Because the body carries multiple mouths along its axis, a divided piece is more likely to retain a functioning mouth than a single-polyp disc coral.
Conditions for Propagation
In nature the coral inhabits reef slopes where Fungia is common, resting freely on the bottom. A soft substrate, gentle flow, and stable, clean water support healing of a divided section and regrowth of tissue over the cut margin.
Sexual Reproduction
Sexually, mature gametes are shed into the coelenteron and spawned through the mouth; the zygote develops into a planktonic planula larva that settles on its aboral end after early development of tentacles, septa and pharynx. This larval pathway is impractical in aquaria, so asexual fragmentation is the realistic route.
Common Challenges
The soft, tentacle-covered tissue is easily abraded, and a divided section can recede or become infected if water quality is poor. Resting on sand exposes the underside to detritus, so placement and flow must keep the specimen clean while it heals.