Propagating Tubastraea coccinea (Orange Cup Coral)
Propagating the non-photosynthetic orange cup coral Tubastraea coccinea by budding, with an invasive-species warning and the heavy zooplankton feeding it demands.
Overview
Tubastraea coccinea, the orange cup coral, is a sun coral with red polyps and yellow-orange tentacles and corallites over 11 mm in diameter. It is azooxanthellate, lacking symbiotic algae, and can grow even in complete darkness as long as it captures enough food, using its tentacles at night to take zooplankton.
Reproductive Mode
The species reproduces both sexually and asexually. It produces planula larvae that can survive as many as 14 days, and it reproduces asexually through budding, a combination that drives the rapid colonisation behind its invasive success.
Fragging / Asexual Propagation
Aquarium propagation relies on the same asexual budding. As the colony adds polyps it can be divided, and individual daughter polyps or sections are detached and remounted onto rubble or plugs to grow into new colonies.
- Allow the colony to bud and add polyps.
- Detach daughter polyps or a colony section.
- Mount each piece onto rubble or a plug.
- Target-feed every piece until established.
Feeding & Conditions for Propagation
Because it gains no energy from light, the coral must capture food. In the wild it feeds on zooplankton at night, and in captivity sun corals accept foods such as frozen mysis; consistent target feeding is essential for frags to fatten and spread.
Sexual Reproduction
Sexual reproduction yields planula larvae lasting up to two weeks, which contributes to its spread on hard substrates including artificial surfaces. Hobbyists rely on asexual division rather than rearing larvae.
Common Challenges
Beyond the feeding demand shared by all sun corals, the species' invasive potential is the defining caution: it regularly outgrows native species and forms monocultures, so escaped fragments are an environmental risk. Heavy feeding also raises nutrients that require strong export.