Palythoa caesia (Indonesia) | L

Palythoa caesia is a captivating soft coral species originating from Indonesia, prized for its striking polyps and colonial growth form. This large specimen offers a bold addition to mature reef aquariums, providing both aesthetic appeal and biological diversity.

Care Level: Moderate care is recommended, suitable for aquarists with some experience in maintaining soft corals.

Lighting Requirements: Moderate lighting is ideal, such as LED or T5 fixtures providing a balanced spectrum. Avoid intense direct lighting to prevent bleaching.

Water Flow: Moderate, indirect water flow helps maintain polyp health and prevents detritus accumulation without causing tissue damage.

Placement: Position on stable rockwork with sufficient space from neighbouring corals to prevent aggressive interactions. This species can extend sweeper tentacles, so allow adequate spacing.

Reef Compatibility: Yes, with adequate spacing from other corals to avoid competition and stinging.

Diet: Primarily photosynthetic via symbiotic zooxanthellae but benefits from occasional supplemental feeding of planktonic foods or coral-specific liquid feeds.

Origin: Indonesia.

Maximum Size: Large colonies can reach up to 15 cm in diameter under optimal conditions.

Additional Notes: Maintain stable water parameters with regular monitoring of calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium to support healthy growth. Avoid sudden changes in lighting or flow to reduce stress.