Button coral (Cynarina lacrymalis) care guide

Group
Corals
Other names
Cynarina, Doughnut coral, Cat's eye coral
Family
Lobophylliidae
Origin
Indo-Pacific and Red Sea; often on soft substrates and in turbid, sheltered water
Water
saltwater
Temperature
22–26°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
dKH 8–12
Care level
beginner
Reef safe
yes
Lighting
Low to moderate
Flow
Low

Care

A solitary large-polyp stony coral: a single round polyp that inflates into a fleshy, almost translucent dome by day. Red and green forms are the most common. Naming: LiveAquaria places it in Mussidae; current classifications put it in Lobophylliidae. Placement: bottom to middle; on the sand bed or low rockwork. It can swell to about twice its deflated size, so allow room. Light and flow: moderate light and gentle flow. Water: LiveAquaria rates it easy and low-maintenance. Keep calcium around 400–450 ppm, alkalinity at dKH 8–12 and magnesium around 1250–1350 ppm, and keep them steady; regular dosing of calcium, alkalinity and trace elements (or a calcium reactor in a busy reef) is needed as the coral grows. Growth: slow; it grows as a single polyp. 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: LiveAquaria (liveaquaria.com/products/button-coral-cynarina). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Photosynthetic, but it should be fed. LiveAquaria recommends meaty foods such as micro-plankton or brine shrimp at night; mysis or small pieces of seafood work well.

Breeding

Not usually fragged because it is solitary. Occasionally it buds new polyps from the base.

Compatibility and tank mates

Not aggressive, but it expands well beyond its skeleton, so keep neighbours a few centimetres away.

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

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