Pectinia lactuca forms leafy, lettuce-like colonies of thin, ruffled walls with sharp points along their edges. LiveAquaria sells green, tan and blue forms, usually darker towards the centre. LiveAquaria rates Pectinia difficult and not for beginners. It suits any level of the tank with moderate light and medium flow; a middle or lower spot sheltered from strong light is usual. Water: LiveAquaria gives dKH 8–12, pH 8.1–8.4 and 22–26 °C, with trace elements, calcium and strontium. The family moved from Pectiniidae to Merulinidae after genetic studies. Growth is slow to moderate. 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/spiny-cup-pectinia-coral). Checked October 2026.
Diet
Photosynthetic. LiveAquaria recommends micro-plankton or other plankton foods when its small tentacles show in the evening.
Breeding
Can be fragged by cutting through the thin skeleton with a saw; handle carefully, as the walls are brittle and sharp.
Compatibility and tank mates
LiveAquaria lists it as peaceful and fine near other peaceful corals. Keep aggressive LPS well away.
Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.
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Items are sold by auction, buy it now or classified advert, by hobbyist and business sellers in the UK.
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