Subseriata Stylophora (Stylophora subseriata) Care Guide
Stylophora subseriata is a branching Indo-Pacific SPS coral in the family Pocilloporidae, hosting zooxanthellae and grown in reef aquaria under moderate light and flow.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Stylophora subseriata is a colonial stony coral in the family Pocilloporidae. The genus Stylophora comprises branching corals with finger-like branches of varying width and blunt tips; colours range across orange, pink, magenta, purple, green and brown and shift with light and water movement. It is a zooxanthellate coral kept as a small-polyp stony (SPS) species in reef aquaria.
Taxonomy
- Family: Pocilloporidae
- Genus: Stylophora
- Scientific name: Stylophora subseriata
- Authority: (Hemprich & Ehrenberg, 1834)
- Note: originally described as Porites subseriata; synonymized with S. pistillata by Veron & Pichon (1976), then revalidated by Veron (2000) and accepted by WoRMS as a distinct species
Habitat
The genus is native to the Red Sea, the Indo-Pacific region and eastwards to the Pitcairn Islands, growing on reefs where its form and colour vary with light level and water movement.
Symbiosis and feeding
As a zooxanthellate coral it hosts symbiotic dinoflagellates that supply most of its energy through photosynthesis. In aquaria it is maintained primarily by lighting, and amino-acid supplements can support growth.
Reef-tank requirements
- Lighting: 150-300 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
Stylophora subseriata is a passive coral without aggressive sweeper tentacles, and is considered reef-safe alongside fish and shrimp. Stable water chemistry and consistent flow are key to maintaining colour and growth.
Propagating Stylophora subseriata (Subseriata Stylo)
Overview
Stylophora subseriata is a branching coral of the family Pocilloporidae with thinner, more pointed branches than S. pistillata. As with the genus, the finger-like branches vary in width and colour ranges through orange, pink, magenta, purple, green or brown depending on light and water movement. Stylophora is native to the Red Sea and the Indo-Pacific eastward to the Pitcairn Islands and hosts symbiotic zooxanthellae.
Reproductive Mode
Stylophora is a branching coral typically multiplied in the aquarium by asexual fragmentation, which preserves colour morph and form. In nature the genus also reproduces sexually.
Fragging / Asexual Propagation
Branching Stylophora is straightforward to frag. Cut a branch with coral cutters and glue it to a plug. Because subseriata branches are thinner than pistillata, handle them gently to avoid crushing tissue, and cut cleanly through the branch.
- Cut a branch a few centimetres long with coral cutters, handling thin branches gently.
- Apply cyanoacrylate glue to a frag plug.
- Seat the branch base, hold about 30 seconds, then return it to the tank.
- Restore good flow and light within a few hours.
Conditions for Propagation
Stylophora favour exposed positions with good water movement. The Aquairi record targets medium-high light (about 150-300 PAR), medium-high flow and 24-26 C.
Common Challenges
Thin branches are more easily damaged during handling than the stout branches of pistillata, so use sharp cutters and minimise crushing. Like other Pocilloporidae, the coral is sensitive to unstable alkalinity and temperature.