WA St. Patrick's Encrusting Psammocora
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WA St. Patrick’s Encrusting Psammocora features fuzzy emerald green flesh dotted with small golden yellow-orange mouths, giving it a vibrant and textured appearance. It thrives under moderate light and prefers low to moderate water flow. This coral is moderately easy to care for, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced aquarists. It grows by spreading as an encrusting layer over rock surfaces, gradually expanding its coverage while adding a lush green accent to the reef.
|
Scientific Name |
Psammocora |
|
Waterflow |
Medium / High |
|
Lighting |
Medium / High |
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Temperament |
Semi-agressive |
|
Care Level |
Medium |
|
Placement |
Middle to Top |
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Purchase Size |
3/4-1" Frag |
Psammocora corals are small-polyped stony corals prized for their delicate textures and subtle coloration. They are moderately hardy and form encrusting colonies, making them ideal for reef aquarists looking to add interesting surface coverage to their rockwork. Their modest care requirements make them suitable for both beginner and intermediate reef keepers.
Description:
Common Names: Psammocora Coral, Sand Coral
Scientific Name: Psammocora species
Family: Psammocoridae
Temperament: Semi-aggressive (can extend sweeper tentacles at night)
Difficulty: Moderate
Native Habitat & Distribution:
Found across the Indo-Pacific, Psammocora inhabits reef slopes, lagoons, and areas with moderate water flow, typically encrusting on hard substrates.
Aquarium Care & Setup:
Temperature: 74–80°F (23–27°C)
pH: 8.1–8.4
Salinity: 1.024–1.026
Lighting: Moderate (50–150 PAR), acclimate slowly to higher light if necessary
Flow: Moderate; avoid direct blasting currents that may damage polyps
Placement: Lower to mid rockwork or sandbed with space to expand
Care Tips & Feeding:
• Feeding: Photosynthetic but benefits from supplemental feeding with small meaty foods such as mysis, brine shrimp, or fine coral pellets 2–3 times per week
• Growth Pattern: Encrusting, spreading outward over rock surfaces
• Tankmates: Compatible with peaceful reef fish and invertebrates; avoid coral-eating or aggressive species
• Behavior: Polyps extend during the day and night, giving the colony a textured, fuzzy appearance
For more information, check out our Psammocora Care Guide.
Are Psammocora corals easy to keep?
They are moderately hardy and suitable for aquarists with some reef experience. Stable parameters and moderate flow help them thrive.
What lighting do Psammocora corals need?
Moderate lighting (50–150 PAR) is ideal. Slowly acclimate to higher light levels to avoid bleaching.
Do Psammocora corals need feeding?
They photosynthesize but grow faster and display better coloration with supplemental feeding of small meaty foods.
Where should I place Psammocora in my tank?
Lower to mid rockwork or sandbed with moderate flow, giving space for colonies to expand.
Are Psammocora corals aggressive?
They are semi-aggressive; sweeper tentacles may sting nearby corals, so spacing is important.
How fast do Psammocora corals grow?
They grow at a moderate pace, spreading encrusting colonies over rock surfaces over time.