Porcelain Coral

About

Porcelain coral (Leptoseris striata) is a compact, low-profile species from the Western Central Pacific, where it typically inhabits deeper reef slopes rather than the bright, wave-washed shallows. Colonies stay quite small, rarely exceeding about 50 mm across, and grow in a partly encrusting form with one or a few prominent central corallites. Radiating outward from those central corallites, the septo-costae create a distinctly striped pattern that gives this species its name and makes identification relatively straightforward. The peripheral corallites are small, irregularly arranged, and tilt toward the colony edges. Coloration runs toward brown or yellowish tones, with white margins and white ridges along the costae adding some contrast. In the aquarium, this species is considered a reasonable choice for beginners, largely because its natural home on deeper reef slopes means it is well adapted to lower light and gentler water movement. Conditions that are easier to dial in than the intense flow and lighting some other corals demand. It is reef safe and should not cause problems with neighboring corals given its small footprint. If you have a shaded corner of the tank that faster-growing SPS corals tend to ignore, this is the kind of species worth considering.