Description
Elegance – Catalaphyllia jardinei
Catalaphyllia jardinei, known as the Elegance, is a show-stopping large-polyp stony coral prized for its long, fleshy tentacles and radiant coloration. Typically displaying shades of electric green, purple, pink, or gold with iridescent tips, this coral sways elegantly in the current, adding both motion and luxury to the reefscape. Native to sandy lagoon environments, the Elegance Coral thrives when provided with gentle flow, moderate light, and stable water chemistry.
Lighting: Moderate (80–150 PAR); prefers indirect illumination—too much light can cause bleaching or tissue retraction
Flow: Low to moderate; gentle, oscillating currents keep tissue clean without causing tearing or detachment
Placement: Bottom of the aquarium on sand or a smooth, stable substrate; avoid sharp rock edges and strong upward flow
Temperature: 76–80°F (24–27°C)
Salinity: 1.024–1.026 SG
pH: 8.1–8.4
Alkalinity: 8–10 dKH
Calcium: 420–450 ppm
Magnesium: 1300–1400 ppm
Nutrients: Moderate nutrient levels (NO₃ 5–15 ppm, PO₄ 0.05–0.10 ppm); prefers slightly nutrient-rich water compared to most SPS species
Feeding: Photosynthetic but benefits from occasional feeding with small meaty foods such as mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, or LPS pellets; feed once or twice weekly for improved growth
Aggression: High; possesses potent stinging tentacles and should be placed at least 15–20 cm from neighboring corals
Growth Rate: Moderate; expands rapidly once settled under stable conditions
Care Level: Intermediate – hardy once acclimated, but sensitive to handling and parameter swings
Compatibility: Semi-aggressive; best housed in open areas of the sand bed with sufficient clearance from other corals and strong-stinging LPS
