Cynarina (Meat Coral / Cat's Eye Coral)
If you are looking for a true, show-stopping centerpiece for the lower levels of your reef, look no further than the Cynarina coral. Often referred to as the Meat Coral, Button Coral, or Cat's Eye Coral, this stunning LPS (Large Polyp Stony) species boasts one of the largest single polyps in the world!
During the day, the Cynarina inflates its incredible, almost translucent fleshy tissue with water, creating a massive, bubble-like dome that beautifully displays its underlying skeletal ridges. Its striking colours and unique texture make it a highly prized addition to any reef aquarium.
At UKReef Hampshire, we love the Cynarina not just for its breathtaking appearance, but because it is surprisingly hardy, making it a spectacular statement piece for both beginners and experts alike.
Quick Care Guide:
Care Level: Easy. They are very forgiving and hardy, provided their delicate tissue is kept safe.
Temperament: Peaceful. They do not have aggressive sweeper tentacles, but because they inflate to such a massive size during the day, you must leave plenty of physical room around them so they don't smother their neighbours.
Placement: Bottom / Sandbed. This is critical! Their tissue is incredibly heavy and fleshy. They should be placed directly on the soft sand or on a very flat, smooth piece of rubble. Never place them on sharp rockwork, as their own weight can cause their tissue to tear.
Lighting: Low to Moderate. They naturally dwell in deeper, turbid waters. If the lighting is too intense, they will refuse to expand and may bleach.
Water Flow: Low. They require just enough gentle flow to keep detritus from settling on their tissue. Strong or direct flow will blast their soft flesh against their sharp, internal skeletal ridges (septa), causing severe damage.
Feeding: Highly predatory and a joy to feed! While photosynthetic, they will send out a ring of sticky feeding tentacles at night or when they sense food in the water. Spot-feed them meaty foods like mysis shrimp, krill, or LPS pellets 1-2 times a week for maximum health and plumpness.