Sun Coral
Tubastraea coccinea
Also known as: Orange cup coral
Brilliant orange polyps that only open at night. And demand to be fed.
About
Sun coral (Tubastraea coccinea) is one of those corals that stops people in their tracks the moment its polyps are fully extended, each one a vivid burst of orange or red atop a tubular skeleton. Found across the Western Atlantic and Indo-Pacific, it grows on reef walls, overhangs, and shaded vertical surfaces anywhere from the shallows down to around 37 meters. Unlike most corals in the hobby, Tubastraea coccinea contains no zooxanthellae. It gets zero nutrition from light and relies entirely on capturing food from the water column. That single fact defines everything about keeping it. Low light is actually preferred, which makes it a natural fit for shaded spots or dimly lit systems, but it must be fed regularly with meaty foods like mysis, brine shrimp, or coral-specific blends. Getting the polyps to open consistently for feeding is a skill in itself and often involves target feeding with a pipette or conditioning the coral to a feeding schedule. This is not a coral you can neglect and hope it muddles through. Reef safe and not aggressive toward neighbors, it suits intermediate keepers who are genuinely committed to a hands-on feeding routine and enjoy corals that reward that attention visibly.
Similar species
Other coral you might consider
Good tank mates
Species that tend to coexist peacefully with Sun Coral
From the same region
Share the same natural habitat. Great for a biotope-themed tank
Frequently asked questions
- What water parameters does the Sun Coral need?
- The Sun Coral does best with a temperature of 72–82°F, a pH of 8–8.4.
- Is the Sun Coral aggressive?
- The Sun Coral is generally peaceful and suits a community tank with similarly calm tankmates.
- What does the Sun Coral eat?
- The Sun Coral is a carnivore. It needs a meaty, protein-rich diet of frozen or live foods.
- Is the Sun Coral reef safe?
- The Sun Coral is generally considered reef safe.