LPS

LPS (Large Polyp Stony) corals are generally larger calcareous corals with large fleshy polyps which lay down calcium on a hard skeleton via the polyps. Some LPS corals also have long tentacles called sweeper tentacles which are longer than the normal tentacles and are used to ‘clear’ other corals away from their immediate vicinity.

Care and feeding: They range in care from being some of the easiest to some of the most difficult of corals to keep. Since they use their polyps to build their hard skeleton, they require adequate levels of calcium to thrive. Generally a level recommend is 430-480 ppm calcium for these corals. Other elements needed for many of these corals to thrive is strontium, iodine, and trace elements. Many of these corals can be fed small bits of seafood (shellfish, crustaceans, squid, fish) but because they contain zooxanthellae (most are photosynthetic endosymbionts) providing up to 90% of a coral’s energy it is usually not necessary.

Propagation Corals like these will propagate either by spawning or by “budding” which means the parent will grow small corals that will separate from the parent, or the parent will simply separate into multiple corals.

Corals are available for mail order purchase, Please phone 01462 850822 for Availability