Cup Coral

About

Found on reef walls and shaded overhangs across the Indo-West Pacific, Tubastraea aurea is a non-photosynthetic cup coral with vivid golden-yellow polyps that open dramatically when food is present. Unlike the majority of reef-building corals, it contains no zooxanthellae and gets zero benefit from intense lighting. In fact, it prefers dim conditions, which makes it unusual among corals kept in home systems. Its natural range stretches from Vietnam and the South China Sea through to New Caledonia and Hawaii, where it typically grows at depths between about 3 and 19 meters on rocky and reef-associated substrates. In the aquarium, low light is not just tolerated but required, making it a good candidate for shaded spots that most corals would refuse. The real commitment with this species is feeding. Without zooxanthellae, it depends entirely on direct food inputs, so regular target feeding with meaty foods like mysis or other small zooplankton is non-negotiable. Flow should be moderate, enough to carry food particles to the polyps without battering them. Reefers who enjoy the feeding ritual and want something different from the usual photosynthetic crowd will find this coral genuinely rewarding, though the consistent feeding demand puts it firmly in intermediate territory.