How to Care for Red Cynarina Coral

written by Dave Burr

The Red Cynarina Coral is a great beginner coral and will definitely bring a splash or color to any reef aquarium. They are one of the largest single polyped corals known.

Placement: Mount the Red Cynarina Coral using IC gel glue, or putty, on an exposed rock or ledge low in the aquarium where they will receive low currents and low to moderate lighting. Cynarina also do well when placed directly on the sand bed provided Gobies and inverts don't bury them with sand.

Feeding: Although symbiotic algae called zooxanthellae hosted within them supply some of their nutritional requirements through photosynthesis they do benefit from supplemental feedings of Oyster-Feast, Roti-Feast, and mysis shrimp.

Lighting & Flow Requirements: The Red Cynarina Coral requires low water flow and low to moderate lighting (PAR 100-220). T5's, Metal Halides, or LED's can all grow Cynarina Corals when the proper PAR levels are provided. We recommend a 14-20K color spectrum for best coloration.

Care Level: Easy
Lighting Requirements: Low to moderate (PAR 100-220)
Water Flow: Low
Aggressiveness: Peaceful
Range: Indo Pacific, Australia
Family: Mussidae
Water Conditions: 75-80° F; sg 1.024-1.026 (1.025 is ideal); pH 8.1-8.4 Ca 420-440 ppm, Alk 8-9.5 dKH, Mg 1260-1350, Nitrates <10ppm, Phosphates, < .10ppm

Water Chemistry:
It is important that proper calcium (420-440 ppm), alkalinity (8-9.5 dkh - run it 7-8 if you are carbon dosing) , and magnesium levels (1260-1350 ppm) are maintained. Raising magnesium levels gradually up to 1400-1600 ppm can help to combat algae outbreaks, just keep CA and Alk in line as you raise the Mg. Nitrates should be below 10 ppm and phosphates should be below .10 ppm. We recommend doing a water change when Nitrate levels rise to 10 ppm. It is important to replace your phosphate media when phosphates rise to .10 ppm. Media Reactors make the most efficient use of your phosphate media by fluidizing it.

Dosing: Vivid Aquariums uses and recommends dosing pumps to automate the dosing of additives and keep your levels more constant. A dosing pump can alleviate the chore of manually dosing your aquarium with Ca, Alk, & Mg 2,3, or 4 times per week and will benefit your aquarium by keeping your levels constant through frequent small additions of Ca, Alk, & Mg. Our tanks all progressed when we switched from 3 manual dosings per week to 70 automatic dosings per week and we got a lot more work done.