Pearl bubble coral (Physogyra lichtensteini) care guide

Group
Corals
Other names
Pearl coral, Grape coral
Family
Plerogyridae
Origin
Indo-West Pacific, often in turbid or shaded water
Water
saltwater
Temperature
22–26°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
dKH 8–12
Care level
beginner
Reef safe
with_caution
Lighting
Low to moderate
Flow
Low to moderate

Care

The pearl bubble coral is a large-polyp stony (LPS) coral whose day-time polyps are covered in small, grape-like vesicles, smaller than those of the common bubble coral. The skeleton has sharp, widely spaced ridges. It is usually cream, white or pale green. Placement: lower rockwork or the sand bed, where the bubbles can open fully. Light and flow: low to moderate light and gentle flow. Strong flow stops the bubbles expanding. Water and supplements: stable calcium and alkalinity, with strontium and trace elements. The bubbles puncture easily, so handle it by the skeleton only. Neither source lists this species; the figures here are LiveAquaria's guidance for the related bubble coral (Plerogyra sinuosa). 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/bubble-coral-1). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Photosynthetic, and benefits from weekly feeding with brine shrimp, micro-plankton or other small meaty foods once the feeding tentacles are out in the evening.

Breeding

Hard to frag; colonies with several heads can be split carefully through the skeleton with a saw, avoiding the tissue.

Compatibility and tank mates

Aggressive: sweeper tentacles at night sting nearby corals, so leave several centimetres of clear space. Keep it away from fish and crabs that might pick at the bubbles.

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

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