Cat's paw coral (Stylophora pistillata) care guide

Group
Corals
Other names
Stylophora, Butternut stylophora, Hood coral
Family
Pocilloporidae
Origin
Indo-Pacific and Red Sea; shallow reef flats and slopes
Water
saltwater
Temperature
22–26°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
dKH 8–12
Care level
intermediate
Reef safe
yes
Lighting
Moderate to high; about PAR 200–300 (general hobby guidance)
Flow
Strong, varied

Care

A branching small-polyp stony coral with thick, blunt, rounded branches that look a little like paws. Colours include pink, purple, green and cream; LiveAquaria sells captive-propagated frags such as the light green "Butternut" form. Placement: middle of the rockwork, a little lower under metal halides and a little higher under T5 or LED lighting, as LiveAquaria suggests. Light and flow: moderate to high light and strong water movement. Water: one of the more forgiving SPS corals. LiveAquaria recommends calcium 400–450 ppm and dKH 8–12, plus magnesium, strontium and iodine. 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: fairly fast; colonies branch readily in good conditions. 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/butternut-stylophora-coral). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Photosynthetic (zooxanthellae). LiveAquaria notes it benefits from zooplankton; small amounts of fine coral foods can be broadcast a few times a week.

Breeding

Easy to frag: snip branch tips with bone cutters and glue to plugs. Like Pocillopora, it may also release larvae that settle around the tank.

Compatibility and tank mates

Peaceful with short polyps. Keep it away from LPS sweeper tentacles and leathers. Some angelfish and butterflyfish may pick at it.

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

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