Lesser Knob Coral
Cyphastrea agassizi
A boldly patterned Pacific reef coral with contrasting corallites and textured grooves.
About
Lesser Knob Coral (Cyphastrea agassizi) is a solid, mounding coral native to the shallow reef environments of the Philippines and Indonesia. Its colonies grow in a massive form, and one of the more distinctive features is a surface that tends to develop deep grooves along with irregular raised formations, giving mature colonies a rugged, textured look. The individual corallites are spread well apart from one another, set against a coenosteum that stays relatively smooth and typically runs whitish in coloration. The corallites themselves contrast nicely against that pale background, usually appearing in soft shades of brown or green, while the septa can take on warm orange tones in some specimens. The first-order septa extend noticeably beyond the corallite rim, which adds a bit of visual detail when you look closely. In the aquarium, this coral does well under moderate lighting and flow, which mirrors the conditions of its natural shallow-reef habitat. It sits comfortably at an intermediate care level. Not a beginner coral, but not especially demanding for someone with a stable, established reef system. It is fully reef safe and should cause no trouble for tankmates given adequate spacing.
Similar species
Other coral you might consider
Good tank mates
Species that tend to coexist peacefully with Lesser Knob Coral
From the same region
Share the same natural habitat. Great for a biotope-themed tank
Frequently asked questions
- What water parameters does the Lesser Knob Coral need?
- The Lesser Knob Coral does best with a temperature of 72–82°F, a pH of 8–8.4.
- Is the Lesser Knob Coral reef safe?
- The Lesser Knob Coral is generally considered reef safe.