Sun Coral
Tubastraea violacea
A rare subtropical sun coral from Hong Kong's reef slopes, thriving in low light.
About
Found on shallow reef-associated habitats in the subtropical Northwest Pacific, Tubastraea violacea is a non-photosynthetic cup coral known from the waters around Hong Kong, making it one of the more geographically restricted members of its genus. Like its relatives in the Tubastraea family, it does not rely on zooxanthellae for nutrition, which means it has no use for intense aquarium lighting and actually fares better under dimmer conditions. A trait that sets it apart from the majority of corals in the hobby. Because it gets all of its energy from captured food, regular target feeding with meaty foods like mysis or other fine particulate matter is essential to keeping it healthy long-term. This feeding demand puts it firmly in the intermediate care category; it is not a coral you can simply place and ignore. Moderate flow helps deliver food to the polyps and keeps detritus from settling around the base. Its subtropical origins suggest it may appreciate slightly cooler water than typical tropical reef setups, though it is reef safe and poses no threat to other tank inhabitants. Source data on this species is thin, so hobbyists keeping it should document their experiences carefully.
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
- 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.