Psammocora

Psammocora, known as Sandpaper coral for its distinctive rough texture, is one of the hardiest SPS genera and an excellent choice for reefers making the transition from LPS to stony corals. It grows in encrusting and plating forms, spreading steadily across rockwork. Maintain calcium at 400–440 ppm, alkalinity at 7.5–9 dKH, and temperature between 25–27°C. Psammocora are notably tolerant of moderate nutrient levels and less-than-perfect water quality compared to most SPS.

Place Psammocora in the mid sections of your tank where they receive moderate light (PAR 100–250) and moderate flow. They are adaptable to a range of lighting intensities, thriving in conditions that would stress more demanding SPS genera. The rough, sandpaper-like surface texture is unique among reef corals and adds interesting visual variety. Psammocora typically come in greens and browns, with some attractive fluorescent green morphs available. Under blue actinic lighting, the better specimens show appealing fluorescence.

Psammocora grow at a moderate pace, encrusting across adjacent rock surfaces. Fragging is straightforward — use bone cutters or a Dremel to separate pieces of the encrusting colony. They establish quickly on new surfaces and are generally pest-resistant. Psammocora are common on the Great Barrier Reef and throughout the Indo-Pacific, and they occasionally appear as hitchhikers on Australian live rock. Their forgiving nature, low maintenance requirements, and interesting texture make them an underrated addition to any mixed reef tank.