Stylophora: The SPS That Deserves More Attention
For a first SPS coral, stylophora is hard to beat. It is chunky, colourful, fast-growing, and significantly tougher than most SPS. Yet many reefers skip straight to acros and wonder why everything dies.
What Is Stylophora?
Stylophora pistillata — usually just called "stylo" — is a small polyp stony coral with thick, rounded branches that grows in dense, bushy clusters.
Common colour morphs in the UK:
- Pink/purple stylo — the most common. Lovely under blues
- Green stylo — bright green under actinics
- Milka stylo — a lilac/pastel purple
- Neon green — less common but stunning
Why It Suits Beginners
- Parameter tolerance: Handles minor swings that would stress an acro
- Growth speed: Visible growth within weeks of settling in
- Fragging ease: Thick branches snap cleanly and heal fast
- Price: Usually £10–20 for a decent frag
Care Requirements
Water Parameters: Alkalinity 7.5–9 dKH, Calcium 400–440 ppm, Magnesium 1280–1350 ppm, Temperature 25–26°C, Salinity 1.025–1.026.
Lighting: 150–350 PAR. Place mid-tank and adjust from there.
Flow: Moderate to high. Enough that detritus does not settle in the branches.
Feeding: Broadcast feeding with zooplankton-based foods once or twice a week noticeably improves growth and colour.
Common Issues
- Flat worms: Dip all new corals before adding to the tank
- Base recession: Usually a flow problem — more random flow often helps
- Browning: Typically a lighting issue. Move the coral higher gradually
A Useful Trick
Stylo encrusts onto rockwork quickly. Placing a frag at the base of a rock structure allows it to spread and grow upward, creating a natural look over a few months.
Browse SPS frags from UK sellers — stylo frags are easy to find, affordable, and ship well.
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