Low-relief Lettuce Coral
Agaricia humilis
Also known as: lowrelief lettuce coral, lowrelief saucer coral
A low-profile Atlantic coral that thrives where light and flow are gentle.
About
Low-relief lettuce coral (Agaricia humilis) is a Western Atlantic species found from the southeastern United States down through the Caribbean Sea, growing across a wide range of reef environments from very shallow water down to around 70 meters. The main exceptions are shallow, calm lagoons, where you won't typically encounter it. In the wild, colonies grow in an encrusting to submassive form, spreading across hard substrate rather than building upright structures. The surface texture is the giveaway for identification. Deep corallites sit within ridges that run in irregular directions and vary in height, giving the colony a subtly uneven, layered look. Alternating long and short septo-costae create a fine repeating pattern across the surface. Coloration is generally understated: most colonies show a uniform tan or a mottled yellow-brown, occasionally with a wash of green around the mouths. In the aquarium this is genuinely one of the more approachable Atlantic corals for newer reef keepers, doing well under lower light and modest flow conditions that would leave many other corals struggling. It won't demand the intense lighting rigs that SPS corals typically require, which makes it practical for a wider range of setups.
Similar species
Other coral you might consider
Good tank mates
Species that tend to coexist peacefully with Low-relief Lettuce Coral
From the same region
Share the same natural habitat. Great for a biotope-themed tank
Frequently asked questions
- What water parameters does the Low-relief Lettuce Coral need?
- The Low-relief Lettuce Coral does best with a temperature of 72–82°F, a pH of 8–8.4.
- Is the Low-relief Lettuce Coral reef safe?
- The Low-relief Lettuce Coral is generally considered reef safe.