Leptastrea sp.
Leptastrea colonies are massive, usually flat or dome-shaped.
The upper surfaces of Leptastrea colonies of species growing in intertidal habitats are usually pale, but they can also have very attractive colours, with hues of gold, purple, vivid green, and orange.
They can be found on a wide range of reef environments and can tolerate extreme conditions in the wild.
The main distinguishing characteristics of Leptastrea species are the larger and bolder primary septa and misaligned septa at the wall.
Recent DNA profiling work has shown that Leptastrea is an orphan, in that, its taxonomic status is uncertain and it is currently not assigned to any coral family.
Basic Water Parameters
pH
8.0 to 8.3
Salinity
34 - 36ppt
Temperature
24.0 - 26.0 Celsius
Husbandry Requirements
Lighiting
50-100 PAR - 110-175 PAR
Flow
Some turbulence required
Aggressiveness
Has sweeper tentacles and/or an ability to sting some other corals.
Acclimation Guide
- It is highly recommended to acclimate all corals to a new environment to prevent shocking corals.
- Place the corals in the water from the packing bags and slowly add the water from new environment (Dripping method is recommended).
- Use the water parameter above as a guide.
- When the vessel becomes full , replace the water with the new environment water by a small amount at a time.
- Ensure the water temperature matches with the new environment’s water.
- After the corals have spent adequate time in the acclimation water, gently place the corals to a new environment.
- It is recommended to place new corals under lower light intensity than usually required. Once corals show no signs of stress, it can be moved to higher lighting area gradually.”