Knob Coral
Dipsastraea speciosa
A chunky, knobbed reef-builder that rewards patient intermediate keepers.
About
Knob Coral (Dipsastraea speciosa) is a large polyp stony coral found across a broad sweep of the Indo-Pacific, from the Red Sea and East African coast all the way out into the central Pacific. In the wild it grows on reef structures anywhere from shallow sunlit flats down to around 25 meters, and its range spans both tropical and subtropical latitudes, which hints at a reasonable tolerance for varied conditions. The colony typically forms a massive, rounded or dome-shaped head covered in distinctive corallites that give the surface a knobby, textured look. Each corallite housing a small fleshy polyp that extends at night to feed. Colors tend toward muted greens, browns, and creams, reflecting the zooxanthellae living in its tissues rather than any flashy pigmentation. In the aquarium, Dipsastraea speciosa sits comfortably under moderate lighting and moderate water movement. Neither blasting flow nor stagnant pockets suit it well. It falls into the intermediate care bracket, so this is not the best first coral for a brand-new reef keeper, but it is approachable for someone who has gotten past the beginner stage and understands the importance of stable water chemistry. Given time and consistent conditions, it can develop into an impressive, substantial colony.
Similar species
Other coral you might consider
Good tank mates
Species that tend to coexist peacefully with 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 Knob Coral need?
- The Knob Coral does best with a temperature of 72–82°F, a pH of 8–8.4.
- What does the Knob Coral eat?
- The Knob Coral is a filter feeder. It eats tiny particles suspended in the water and usually needs target feeding in a home tank.
- Is the Knob Coral reef safe?
- The Knob Coral is generally considered reef safe.