Cup Coral, Turbinaria
Turbinaria reniformis

Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Peaceful
Lighting: Moderate
Waterflow: Medium to Strong
Placement: Bottom to Middle
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, sg 1.023-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4
Color Form: Green, Tan, Yellow
Supplements: Calcium, Strontium, Trace Elements
Origin: Eastern Asia, Fiji
Family: Dendrophylliidae
Polyp Size: SPS - Small Polyp Stony

The Turbinaria Cup Coral is small polyp stony (SPS) coral. Other Turbinaria species may be referred to as Pagoda, Turban, Vase, Bowl, or Scroll Corals. The genus name, Turbinaria, is derived from the Greek word turbinatus (cone-shaped) because it usually grows in a conical or cup shape while living on the reef. It may also be found in the form of cups, ruffled ridges, plates, vases, or scrolls. Although the Turbinaria Corals may be bright yellow, green, brown, gray, or cream, the base of this Yellow Cup Coral is yellow, and it has yellow polyps. Depending on the conditions that it is exposed to, it can grow horizontally or vertically.

Turbinaria sp. vary in the amount of care they require. Those that are highly convoluted or have thin plates are the most difficult to care for. It is a peaceful reef inhabitant and does not bother other corals that are placed in close proximity to it. However, it should still be provided with ample space away from other corals because it does grow quickly. It will require moderate lighting combined with moderate water movement within the aquarium. For its continued good health, it will also require the addition of calcium, strontium, and other trace elements to the water.

It will benefit from additional food in the form of brine shrimp or plankton.