SPS
Birdsnest coral
Seriatopora hystrix, S. caliendrum
- Type
- SPS
- Care level
- Beginner SPS
- Light
- 150 to 400 PAR (high)
- Flow
- High
- With neighbours
- Peaceful
Safety: handling birdsnest coral
Low hazard
How do you care for birdsnest coral?
Placement
Mid to upper
Flow
Strong but indirect; a direct jet snaps thin branches typical, check
Feeding
Takes a range of particle sizes typical, check
Growth
Fast
Water quality
Hardy if parameters are stable typical, check
How much light does it need?
Sources put it at about 150 to 400 PAR, measured where the coral sits. Start a new coral at the low end and raise it over weeks.
150 to 300 in one guide; 200 to 400 in another. typical, check
Which neighbours are safe?
Low
Room; branches are brittle
Fish
Fish known to nip this group of corals, or small enough to be caught by it.
Take care (6)
- Yellow clown gobyYellow clown goby may nip SPS corals, more so when underfed.
- Lawnmower blennyLawnmower blenny may nip SPS corals, more so when underfed.
- Tailspot blennyTailspot blenny may nip SPS corals, more so when underfed.
- Coral beautyCoral beauty may nip SPS corals, more so when underfed.
- Flame angelfishFlame angelfish may nip SPS corals, more so when underfed.
- Moorish idolMoorish idol may nip SPS corals, more so when underfed.
Other corals
Corals that can harm this one if placed too close.
Take care (12)
- Toadstool leatherToadstool leather releases chemicals that can harm SPS such as the birdsnest coral; run activated carbon.
- Finger leatherFinger leather releases chemicals that can harm SPS such as the birdsnest coral; run activated carbon.
- Hammer coralHammer coral stings neighbours up to about 15 cm away at night; keep the birdsnest coral out of reach.
- Frogspawn coralFrogspawn coral stings neighbours; keep the birdsnest coral out of reach.
- Torch coralTorch coral stings neighbours; keep the birdsnest coral out of reach.
- GalaxeaGalaxea stings neighbours up to about 15 cm away at night; keep the birdsnest coral out of reach.
- Horn coralHorn coral stings neighbours; keep the birdsnest coral out of reach.
- Fire coral (not Acropora millepora)Fire coral (not Acropora millepora) stings neighbours; keep the birdsnest coral out of reach.
- Bubble tip anemoneBubble tip anemone stings neighbours; keep the birdsnest coral out of reach.
- Mini maxiMini maxi stings neighbours; keep the birdsnest coral out of reach.
- Carpet anemones (Haddon's, giant)Carpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) stings neighbours; keep the birdsnest coral out of reach.
- Ritteri anemoneRitteri anemone stings neighbours; keep the birdsnest coral out of reach.
Invertebrates
Invertebrates that may nip corals when hungry.
Take care (3)
- Emerald crabSome emerald crabs nip corals when hungry.
- Peppermint shrimpSome peppermint shrimps nip corals when hungry.
- Camel shrimpSome camel shrimps nip corals when hungry.
These checks follow the reasons fish and invertebrates clash: same species or genus, similar shape, mouth size, temperament, food, burrows, tank size and the order they are added. Individual animals differ; every source agrees on that.
Pests, dips and quarantine
Red bugs possible
General SPS dip
No dip reliably kills pest eggs, so a dip lowers the risk rather than removing it. Inspect new frags with a torch after lights out, including the underside and the plug.
Where sources disagree
| Topic | What sources say | Our reading |
|---|---|---|
| Light (PAR) |
| We give 150 to 400 PAR. Start a new coral at the low end and raise it slowly. |
Sources
Last checked . How we check
Found a mistake? Tell us how to fix it.
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