Reeflings

Common name: bubble coral

Scientific name: Plerogyra sinuosa (Dana, 1846)
Soft coral Plerogyra sinuosa. Coral tentacles in the form of bubbles. Bubbles texture. Balls background.Bubble Coral, Stony Coral, Plerogyra sinuosa, Lembeh, North Sulawesi, Indonesia, Asia
Detail of a bubble coral, Plerogyra sinuosa, growing on a coral reef in Indonesia. At night tentacles extend from the polyps to feed on plankton.
Bubble coral (Plerogyra sinuosa) with Acoel Flatworms (convolutidae) at Adrian's Cove dive site, Limasawa Island in Sogod Bay, Southern Leyte, Philippines. Underwater photography and travel.
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General information

The Bubble Coral, Plerogyra sinuosa, is a distinctive and popular species among reef aquarium enthusiasts due to its unique bubble-like appearance during the day. At night, the bubbles retract, and sweeper tentacles emerge to capture food. This LPS (Large Polyp Stony) coral is known for its hardy nature and can be a great addition to many reef aquariums.

Details

Lighting
50 to 150 PAR
Salinity
S.G. 1.023 to 1.026
Temperature
22 to 26 °C (72 to 79 °F)
Acidity
pH 7.8 to 8.4
Care level
Moderate to easy Sensitive to water quality.
Flow
Low Prefers gentle flow to avoid damage.
Aggression
Peaceful

Taxonomy

  1. Kingdom
    Animals
    Animalia
  2. Phylum
    Cnidarians
    Cnidaria
  3. Class
    Corals
    Anthozoa
  4. Order
    Stony Corals
    Scleractinia
  5. Family
    Hammer Corals
    Euphyllidae
  6. Genus
    Bubble Coral
    Plerogyra
  7. Species
    bubble coral
    Plerogyra sinuosa (Dana, 1846)
  8. Synonyms
    Euphyllia sinuosa Dana, 1846
    Plerogyra excavata Milne Edwards & Haime, 1848
    Plerogyra laxa Milne Edwards & Haime, 1848

Care

Bubble Corals require moderate care. They thrive in low to moderate lighting and water flow, which helps to maintain their characteristic bubble appearance. It's important to provide ample space around them, as their sweeper tentacles can extend several inches and may damage neighboring corals. Feeding them with meaty foods like mysis shrimp or finely chopped seafood can promote growth and health.

Symbiosis

While Plerogyra sinuosa does not have the same level of symbiosis with fish as anemones do with clownfish, it can provide shelter to small, peaceful fish and invertebrates that seek refuge among its bubbles during the day.

Habitat

Bubble Corals are found in the Indo-Pacific region, typically in sheltered reef environments. They often inhabit lower reef slopes and lagoons, where the water movement is not too strong, allowing them to fully expand their bubbles.