Description

Meteor Shower Cyphastrea Red

The Meteor Shower Cyphastrea Red (Cyphastrea serailia)  is a beautiful encrusting coral known for its striking contrast between a deep red base and bright star-like polyps. The small glowing polyps resemble tiny meteors scattered across the coral’s surface, giving rise to its popular name “Meteor Shower.” Under blue reef lighting, the colours intensify dramatically, creating a vibrant, glowing effect that stands out in both SPS-dominant and mixed reef aquariums.

Unlike many demanding SPS species, Cyphastrea serailia is considered one of the more forgiving small polyp stony corals. Its encrusting growth pattern allows it to slowly spread across rock surfaces, frag plugs, or decorative reef structures, forming a colourful living carpet over time. Because it grows outward rather than upward, it is particularly useful for filling empty rockwork areas and adding colour to vertical surfaces in an aquascape.

This coral’s manageable care requirements make it an excellent introduction to SPS corals for reef keepers who already maintain stable water parameters.

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Why You’ll Love Meteor Shower Cyphastrea Red

• Bright red base with glowing star-like polyps

• Beautiful fluorescence under blue spectrum lighting

• Encrusting growth that covers rock surfaces

• One of the more forgiving SPS corals

• Ideal for adding colour to shaded reef areas

Meteor Shower Cyphastrea is especially popular among aquarists who want the texture and detail of SPS corals without the extreme sensitivity associated with more delicate species.

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Care & Placement

Lighting:
Low to moderate lighting is preferred. While it can tolerate stronger lighting, many reef keepers find that the best coloration occurs under moderate PAR levels.

Water Flow:
Moderate, indirect flow works best. Adequate flow helps prevent debris from settling on the coral while encouraging healthy polyp extension.

Placement:
Meteor Shower Cyphastrea performs particularly well in lower light areas, including shaded sections of rockwork, vertical surfaces, or lower tank zones where other SPS corals may struggle.

Water Parameters:

• Temperature: 24–26°C

• Salinity: 1.024–1.026

• Alkalinity: 8–9 dKH

• Calcium: 400–450 ppm

• Magnesium: 1250–1350 ppm

• Nitrate: Low to moderate

• Phosphate: Stable, low levels

Stable water chemistry is more important than chasing perfect numbers. Like most SPS corals, consistency encourages steady growth and strong coloration.

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Feeding & Growth

Although primarily photosynthetic, Cyphastrea serailia can benefit from occasional feeding. Fine particulate foods such as reef roids, powdered coral foods, or broadcast planktonic feeds can support growth and polyp health.

Growth is generally slow to moderate, with the coral gradually encrusting outward across available surfaces. Over time, a small frag can develop into a wide colony that adds striking texture to rock structures.

Because it grows close to the rock surface, it is less likely to shade neighbouring corals compared to branching SPS species.

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Aquascaping Inspiration

Meteor Shower Cyphastrea works exceptionally well when used to cover rock faces, overhangs, or vertical aquascape structures. Its encrusting nature makes it ideal for creating natural reef textures while filling spaces that would otherwise remain bare.

Many reef keepers also use it to decorate frag racks, aquascape pillars, or reef shelves where the red base and glowing polyps create a dramatic contrast against surrounding corals.

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Quick Facts

• Coral Type: SPS (Small Polyp Stony)

• Species: Cyphastrea serailia

• Temperament: Peaceful

• Difficulty Level: Moderate

• Lighting: Low–Moderate

• Flow: Moderate

• Placement: Lower rockwork, shaded areas, vertical surfaces

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Meteor Shower Cyphastrea Red (Cyphastrea serailia)  is a rewarding encrusting SPS coral that combines vibrant colour, manageable care requirements, and unique growth patterns, making it a standout addition to any reef aquarium.