Bubble Coral

Plerogyra sinuosa

Animalia›Cnidaria›Anthozoa›Caryophylliidae

📍 Indo-Pacific Reef Systems

Bubble coral is a distinctive LPS coral whose fleshy, bubble-like vesicles inflate during the day to maximise light capture and deflate at night to reveal feeding tentacles. It is a vigorous feeder and responds well to regular target feeding. Its delicate inflated tissue can be punctured by sharp rockwork, so placement must be considered carefully.

Size2"

Min Tank30g

peaceful

Zoneall

Tank Mates

Ocellaris Clownfish

Hardy reef fish that respect coral space; compatible with low-flow reef environments

good

Cleaner Shrimp

Beneficial for tank health; unlikely to damage coral tissue and may remove parasites

good

Peppermint Shrimp

Peaceful scavenger that helps maintain water quality without harassing corals

good

Neon Goby

Small, reef-safe fish that stays in lower water column away from coral tentacles

excellent

Astrea Snail

Algae grazer that won't damage coral and helps maintain tank cleanliness

excellent

Common Diseases

Tissue Necrosis

Symptoms

Rapid tissue recession, browning or bleaching of polyps, visible skeleton exposure, foul odor

Treatment

Improve water quality (test calcium, alkalinity, nitrate levels), increase water changes, ensure adequate flow without direct blasting, remove any sharp objects causing physical damage

Coral Bleaching

Symptoms

Loss of color, pale or white appearance, reduced polyp inflation, lethargy

Treatment

Check water parameters (especially temperature stability), reduce light intensity temporarily, ensure adequate calcium and alkalinity, maintain consistent water conditions and avoid sudden changes

Parasitic Infection

Symptoms

Visible spots or lesions on tissue, excessive mucus production, polyps failing to inflate properly

Treatment

Quarantine affected coral if possible, perform large water changes, introduce cleaner shrimp or fish, consider copper-free treatments designed for corals if infection persists

Mechanical Damage

Symptoms

Punctured or torn bubble vesicles, tissue damage from sharp rockwork, visible wounds

Treatment

Reposition coral away from sharp edges and aggressive water flow, ensure placement on sand bed or smooth surfaces, allow time for tissue regeneration with stable conditions

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Quick Facts

diet: Photosynthetic; actively feeds on mysis shrimp, krill, copepods at night
flow: Low to moderate, indirect
lifespan: Decades
lighting: Low to moderate (30–100 PAR)
placement: Sand bed or low rockwork away from sharp edges
tank size: 30 gallons minimum
temperament: Has sweeper tentacles at night; moderate aggression