Yellow scroll coral (Turbinaria reniformis) care guide

Group
Corals
Other names
Scroll coral, Turbinaria, Yellow cup coral, Kidney coral
Family
Dendrophylliidae
Origin
Indo-Pacific, from the Red Sea and East Africa to the central Pacific
Water
saltwater
Temperature
22–26°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
dKH 8–12
Care level
intermediate
Reef safe
yes
Lighting
Moderate
Flow
Moderate to strong

Care

Turbinaria reniformis is a stony coral that grows as broad, flat or gently folded plates and scrolls, usually bright yellow to greenish yellow with a pale rim. Small polyps cover the upper surface and extend during the day. Place it low to mid in the tank with plenty of room. LiveAquaria lists Turbinaria as moderate in care, with moderate light, medium to strong flow and bottom-to-middle placement, and says it grows quickly and can spread sideways or upwards depending on conditions. Thin, highly folded forms are the trickiest. Water: LiveAquaria gives dKH 8–12, pH 8.1–8.4, specific gravity 1.023–1.025 and 22–26 °C, with calcium, strontium and trace elements. Aquacultured colonies are often available. 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/yellow-cup-coral-turbinaria). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Photosynthetic, and it also traps fine particles. LiveAquaria suggests brine shrimp or plankton as a supplement.

Breeding

Cut a piece from the plate edge with bone cutters or a saw and glue it to a plug or rock with cyanoacrylate gel. The edge keeps growing outwards.

Compatibility and tank mates

Peaceful and does not harm neighbours. Its wide plates can shade corals below, so plan where it will spread. Some angelfish nip its polyps.

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

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