Serpent Coral

About

Serpent coral (Pachyseris speciosa) is one of those corals that rewards a closer look. At first glance the wide, flattened plates look almost plain, pale brown to deep grey, sometimes with lighter margins, but the surface is covered in closely packed, winding ridges that give the colony a topographic, almost topographical quality that sets it apart from most other plating corals. In the wild, colonies commonly grow several metres across, typically lying horizontal across the substrate or developing upright folds where conditions allow. Multiple rows of corallites run between each ridge, and the complete absence of columellae gives the skeletal structure a clean, almost architectural look. You'll find this species across a range of reef habitats, though it does best on lower reef slopes where light is softer and flow is gentler. That preference translates reasonably well to the aquarium, where moderate lighting and moderate flow suit it well. It falls into the intermediate care bracket. Not a beginner coral, but not one that demands advanced-level expertise either. Give it room to spread, stable water quality, and appropriate placement toward the lower or mid sections of the tank, and it can develop into a genuinely impressive colony over time.