Lesser Valley Coral
Platygyra pini
A solid Indo-Pacific brain coral with charming green-floored valleys.
About
The lesser valley coral (Platygyra pini) is a brain coral from the Indo-Pacific that forms hefty, mounding colonies across shallow reef environments, typically found anywhere from the surface down to around 40 meters. Its structure sits somewhere between a true brain coral and a simpler massive coral. The corallites can be solitary or merge into short, winding valleys, giving each colony a slightly different look depending on how the growth has developed. The walls dividing those valleys are thick with rounded, almost blunt edges, and the septa running across them are fine and regularly spaced. In some specimens you'll notice hints of columella development at the center of the corallites, adding a bit of textural detail up close. Coloration runs toward muted grey or yellow-brown on the ridges, with valley floors that often carry a softer green or cream tone. Understated, but pleasant. In the aquarium, Platygyra pini fits the intermediate category comfortably: it's not a beginner coral, but it doesn't demand the careful attention that more finicky LPS corals do. Moderate lighting and flow suit it well, and it's considered reef safe. If you're looking to add a brain coral with some structural character without taking on a high-maintenance species, this one is worth considering.
Similar species
Other coral you might consider
Good tank mates
Species that tend to coexist peacefully with Lesser Valley 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 Valley Coral need?
- The Lesser Valley Coral does best with a temperature of 72–82°F, a pH of 8–8.4.
- Is the Lesser Valley Coral reef safe?
- The Lesser Valley Coral is generally considered reef safe.