Branched sandpaper coral (Psammocora contigua) care guide

Group
Corals
Other names
Psammocora, Nodular sandpaper coral
Family
Psammocoridae
Origin
Indo-Pacific, from the Red Sea and East Africa to the western Pacific; shallow lagoons and reef flats
Water
saltwater
Care level
intermediate
Reef safe
yes
Lighting
Moderate to high
Flow
Moderate to strong

Care

Psammocora contigua is a small-polyp stony (SPS) coral that grows as nodular lumps, short thick branches or encrusting plates. Its polyps are tiny and set in shallow pits, so the surface has a fine, gritty "sandpaper" texture. Colours are usually brown, green, cream or purple. Place it in the middle to upper rockwork with moderate to bright light and moderate to strong flow. It comes from shallow, sometimes murky lagoons, so it is more tolerant of changing conditions than many SPS, but stable water still gives the best results. Water: keep a standard reef: about 24–26 °C, pH 8.1–8.4, alkalinity around dKH 8–11, calcium about 400–450 ppm and magnesium about 1250–1350 ppm. Growth is slow to moderate. Neither LiveAquaria nor Top Shelf Aquatics lists this species; the figures are general guidance for the genus, not from a source. Selling: this is a CITES Appendix II coral. Frags grown in the UK can be sold freely; wild-collected or imported pieces must have been legally imported with CITES paperwork. Sources: general reef-keeping guidance; neither LiveAquaria nor Top Shelf Aquatics lists this species. Checked October 2026.

Diet

Photosynthetic: zooxanthellae supply most of its energy. Fine coral foods or zooplankton now and then may help.

Breeding

Snap or cut a branch or lump with bone cutters and glue it to a plug with cyanoacrylate gel. It heals readily.

Compatibility and tank mates

Peaceful, with short tentacles and little reach. Keep it 10–15 cm from LPS with sweeper tentacles. Coral-nipping fish may pick at it.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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