- Description
Description
Skittles Bomb Cyphastrea
In general, species from Cyphastrea are fast growing when you compare it to other mound-building corals. They usually grow in an encrusting form and can visually see a difference in size within 6 months. Newbies can cultivate Cyphastrea since they are easy to care and maintain. They can grow in a wide range of water condition and are noted to survive even in low nutrient level.
For the Skittles Bomb Cyphastrea, they are predominatly colored violet with green and yellow polyps. This are the water parameters for cultivating Skittles Bomb Cyphastrea:
- Calcium: 420 – 440 ppm
- Alkalinity: 2.8 – 3.39 MEQ/L (8 – 9.5 dKH)
- Phosphates: < 0.1 ppm
- Nitrates: > 10 ppm
- Magnesium: 1260 – 1350
- pH: 8.1 – 8.4
- Temperature: 75° – 80° F (23° – 27° C)
- Salinity / Specific Gravity: 1.024 – 1.026 but ideally at 1.025 for maximum growth
Note: incase you have an algal outbreak in your tank, all you need to do is to gradually increase the magnesium level at 1400 – 1600 ppm. We also recommend doing a water change to combat the negative effects, especially if the nitrate level exceed 10 ppm.
Skittles Bomb Cyphastrea Diet & Nutrition
While they enjoy the photosynthetic benefits brought by the symbiotic zooxanthellae living inside them, Skittles Bomb Cyphastrea still needs supplemental feeding such as mysis, artemia, copepods and other nauplii.
Fragging / Propagating Skittles Bomb Cyphastrea
A mature tank is highly recommended in propagating Skittles Bomb Cyphastrea. In setting them in the tank, you need to place them over an exposed rock where they can start their encrusting process. Putty or gel glue can be used to firmly mount them. For best results, we recommend you place them in the lower portion of the tank where there is moderate water flow and moderate lighting.
Flow / Lighting Requirements for Skittles Bomb Cyphastrea
The Skittles Bomb Cyphastrea DOES NOT require strong water flow and intense lighting. Usually placing them on the lower level of the tank would do the trick.
Skittles Bomb Cyphastrea Origin
The Skittles Bomb Cyphastrea is widely spread throughout the waters of the Indo-Pacific Ocean.
Caution Should be Taken with Skittles Bomb Cyphastrea
Do not place the Skittles Bomb Cyphastrea on the upper part of the tank. By doing so, you will expose them to high water flow and intense lighting, which in effect, causes a stunted growth.
How to Acclimate Skittles Bomb Cyphastrea
Skittles Bomb Cyphastrea are purely marine, therefore, salinity must be maintained thoroughly at 1.024 to 1.026 specific gravity. But for best results, maintan the salinity at 1.205 specific gravity. They should be placed in their permanent position immediately after acclimation to facilitate the encrusting process.
Stinging Tentacles on Skittles Bomb Cyphastrea
Skittles Bomb Cyphastrea have a semi-aggressive behavior and may invade nearby polyps from other coral species by extendng their tentacles. So, proper spacing in between corals should be maintained.
