Cylindrica Porites (Porites cylindrica) Care Guide
Porites cylindrica is an Indo-Pacific branching coral with finger-thick branches that forms micro-atolls; a hardy zooxanthellate species listed as Near Threatened.
Overview
Porites cylindrica is a branching small-polyp stony coral in the family Poritidae, described by Dana in 1846. It has numerous branches, some with secondary branches, growing in different directions and roughly half an inch thick. It can form micro-atolls and spread over several square meters.
Taxonomy
- Family: Poritidae
- Genus: Porites
- Scientific name: Porites cylindrica
- Authority: (Dana, 1846)
Habitat
The species ranges across the Indo-Pacific, including the western Pacific, Australia, the South China Sea, Japan, Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean. It is found in back reefs and lagoons, commonly at 1 to 11 m and observed to about 20 m.
Symbiosis and feeding
It is a zooxanthellate coral whose photosynthetic dinoflagellate partners provide nutrients; the sessile colony also captures suspended food particles. In aquaria it is maintained chiefly by lighting, with amino-acid supplements aiding growth.
Reef-tank requirements
- Lighting: 150-250 PAR (medium-high)
- Flow: medium-high
- Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-79 °F)
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- Specific gravity: 1.025-1.026
- Alkalinity (dKH): 7.5-9
- Calcium: 420-450 ppm
- Magnesium: 1300-1400 ppm
- Phosphate: below 0.05 ppm
- Nitrate: below 10 ppm
- Minimum tank maturity: about 3 months
Compatibility
It is a passive, reef-safe coral compatible with fish and shrimp. Stable chemistry and steady flow support healthy growth.
Breeding
It is a gonochoric species with separate male and female colonies and primarily propagates by asexual fragmentation, which makes fragging straightforward in aquaria.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Near Threatened (2014).