Plesiastrea

Plesiastrea are hardy encrusting corals with small, tightly packed corallites that create a brain coral-like pattern. They are among the most forgiving LPS corals available, tolerating a wide range of lighting and flow conditions that would challenge fussier species. Place them in the mid-section of your tank under low to moderate PAR (50–150 PAR) with moderate flow. They are genuinely adaptable and will thrive in most positions within a typical reef tank.

Maintain standard reef parameters: alkalinity 7.5–9.0 dKH, calcium 400–450 ppm, magnesium 1300–1400 ppm, and temperature 25–26 °C. Plesiastrea are primarily photosynthetic and undemanding regarding feeding. They grow slowly by encrusting adjacent surfaces, gradually forming dense colonies. They are not flashy corals but provide reliable, low-maintenance colour and texture in a mixed reef.

Plesiastrea are peaceful corals with no significant sweeper tentacles, making them safe neighbours for any species. They are found throughout the Indo-Pacific, including on the Great Barrier Reef, and are well-adapted to Australian water conditions. Fragging is possible by cutting encrusting colonies with a Dremel. These are genuinely set-and-forget corals that reward patient reefers with steady, reliable growth over many years. An excellent choice for new hobbyists or for filling spaces in a mixed reef.