{"product_id":"purple-and-gold-cyphastrea","title":"Purple and Gold Cyphastrea","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"flex max-w-full flex-col gap-4 grow\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"auto\" class=\"min-h-8 text-message relative flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 text-start break-words whitespace-normal outline-none keyboard-focused:focus-ring [.text-message+\u0026amp;]:mt-1\" tabindex=\"0\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"markdown prose dark:prose-invert wrap-break-word w-full dark markdown-new-styling\"\u003e\n\u003ch1 class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003e\n\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003ePurple and Gold Cyphastrea (\u003cem\u003eCyphastrea\u003c\/em\u003e sp.)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003ePurple and Gold Cyphastrea\u003c\/strong\u003e is a striking encrusting coral known for its contrasting purple base and bright gold to yellow polyps. Its tightly packed corallites create a fine, textured surface that becomes increasingly impressive as the colony spreads across the rockwork. Under blue-heavy reef lighting, the gold coloration and fluorescent tones can become especially pronounced, creating excellent contrast against the deeper purple background.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCyphastrea is a relatively compact-growing coral that typically encrusts available rockwork and gradually expands outward. Its small polyps give established colonies a detailed, star-like appearance without requiring the space associated with many larger LPS corals. The combination of purple and gold makes this variety particularly useful for adding a strong color contrast to lower-light areas of a mixed reef.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eRecommended Care\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eCyphastrea\u003c\/em\u003e sp.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Purple and Gold Cyphastrea\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCare Level:\u003c\/strong\u003e Easy to Moderate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLighting:\u003c\/strong\u003e Low to Moderate, approximately \u003cstrong\u003e50–150 PAR\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater Flow:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moderate — indirect, variable flow that keeps the colony clean without excessive direct turbulence\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlacement:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lower to Middle aquarium\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e Peaceful\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Form:\u003c\/strong\u003e Encrusting\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e Primarily photosynthetic; supplemental feeding is beneficial but not required\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlacement \u0026amp; Flow\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlace Purple and Gold Cyphastrea on stable rockwork where it has room to spread. It is particularly well suited to \u003cstrong\u003elower-light portions of the aquarium\u003c\/strong\u003e, making it a useful coral for areas that may not be ideal for higher-light SPS.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eModerate, indirect flow is preferred. Good circulation helps prevent detritus from settling on the colony while providing consistent oxygen and nutrient exchange. Avoid directing a powerful, narrow stream directly at the coral.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCyphastrea is generally peaceful and does not typically produce long sweeper tentacles. Even so, allow reasonable space between it and neighboring corals, especially other encrusting species, as the colony expands across the rockwork.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eLighting\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePurple and Gold Cyphastrea generally performs well in \u003cstrong\u003e50–150 PAR\u003c\/strong\u003e. Moderate lighting can provide a good balance of growth and coloration without requiring the high-intensity lighting used for many SPS corals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen introducing a new specimen, begin toward the lower end of the range and \u003cstrong\u003eacclimate gradually\u003c\/strong\u003e if your aquarium has stronger lighting. Sudden exposure to significantly higher PAR can cause unnecessary stress and may affect coloration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlue-heavy reef lighting can bring out the fluorescent qualities of the gold\/yellow polyps and create stronger contrast with the purple base, while a balanced spectrum will provide a more natural overall appearance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eCyphastrea\u003c\/em\u003e is primarily \u003cstrong\u003ephotosynthetic\u003c\/strong\u003e, receiving much of its energy from its symbiotic algae. However, it can also benefit from nutrients and fine food particles available in the water column.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOccasional supplemental feeding with \u003cstrong\u003efine powdered coral foods, phytoplankton, or small zooplankton-based foods\u003c\/strong\u003e can provide additional nutrition. Feed conservatively and avoid allowing uneaten food to accumulate on the colony.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePurple and Gold Cyphastrea is an excellent choice for reef keepers looking to add bold color and texture to lower-light areas of the aquarium. Its contrasting purple base, bright gold polyps, compact encrusting growth, and striking appearance under blue reef lighting make it a versatile and visually distinctive addition to a mixed reef.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Island Reef Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48643137470658,"sku":null,"price":29.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0771\/3354\/5666\/files\/PurpleandGoldCyphastrea_WYSIWYG_29.99.png?v=1787211807","url":"https:\/\/islandreefaquatics.com\/products\/purple-and-gold-cyphastrea","provider":"Island Reef Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}