Leptoseris

Leptoseris is a genus of coral that spreads over rock or forms thin plates. The surface has small undulations and fine, regular radial ridges; the corallites sit tightly packed between these undulations. In the wild most species live on shaded vertical surfaces and on deep reefs; yellow, green and red fluorescent forms are sold in the trade. Species are not distinguished in the store, so this page covers the genus as a whole. Its trade is subject to CITES Appendix II; most of those sold are aquacultured frags, so choose those.

• Light: Low to moderate, about 50–125 PAR. Start a new frag at the very bottom; if the color pales and turns white, there is too much light.
• Flow: Low to moderate and indirect; enough that detritus does not collect on the surface.
• Placement: The lower zone of the rockwork or a shaded vertical surface.
• Water parameters: Salinity 1.024–1.026, KH 7–10 dKH, calcium 400–450 mg/L, magnesium 1250–1350 mg/L; avoid sudden changes, especially in KH and lighting.

It is photosynthetic and gets by on light. If you like, you can give powdered coral food once a week; it has a slight positive effect on growth and color.

It is peaceful; it has no long stinging tentacles. Even so, as it spreads over the rock, tissue loss can occur at the border with a coral it touches; leave 5 cm of space. It is itself easily harmed by aggressive LPS. Dwarf angelfish may pick at the tissue.