Cycloseris disc coral (Cycloseris cyclolites) care guide

Group
Corals
Other names
Disc coral, Cycloseris plate coral
Family
Fungiidae
Origin
Indo-West Pacific and Red Sea, on sandy and rubble bottoms
Water
saltwater
Temperature
22–26°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
dKH 8–12
Care level
beginner
Reef safe
yes
Lighting
Moderate
Flow
Low to medium

Care

Cycloseris cyclolites is a small, free-living disc coral in the plate coral family. It is a round, slightly domed single polyp with fine radiating ridges and short tentacles, and it is popular for its bright colours (greens, reds, oranges and multicoloured forms). It is not sold by name at LiveAquaria; the care below draws on its short-tentacle plate coral listing (Fungia), a close relative in the same family. Placement: on the sand bed, ideally fine sand, where it can move about. Moderate light and low to medium flow suit it. It can inflate with water and right itself if turned over. Water: alkalinity dKH 8–12, pH 8.1–8.4, with calcium, strontium and trace elements kept up. Growth is slow. 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/plate-coral-purple-short-tentacle). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Photosynthetic, but feeding a few times a week with small meaty foods such as mysis or brine shrimp helps. Only feed when the polyp is extended.

Breeding

Not normally fragged. Plate corals sometimes produce small daughter discs (anthocauli) from the parent or from damaged pieces, which can be grown on.

Compatibility and tank mates

Semi-aggressive: even short tentacles damage corals they touch, and it can move across the sand into neighbours, so keep space around it. Some fish and hermit crabs may pick at it.

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

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