WYSWIYG Fire Lava Cyphastrea

002 – Fire Lava Cyphastrea
Scientific Name: Cyphastrea spp.
Type: LPS Coral (Encrusting)

Overview

This WYSIWYG frag of Fire Lava Cyphastrea glows with intense contrast—vibrant, ember-red tissue overlaid by bright neon-orange polyps that ignite under actinic light. Its surface is dimpled and densely packed, forming a smooth encrusting mat that clings tightly to rock and frag plugs.

Cyphastrea is known for its ability to thrive in low light and tolerate moderate nutrient conditions, making it an excellent candidate for shaded reef zones, frag racks, or low-competition areas of your aquascape. The Fire Lava variety is especially prized for its heat-map coloration and low-maintenance growth pattern.

Care Requirements

Lighting:
Low to moderate (PAR 50–150). Fire Lava Cyphastrea maintains color best under lower light, with fluorescence intensified under blues and actinics.

Water Flow:
Low to moderate. Too much direct flow can cause polyp retraction. Gentle, indirect movement is ideal for expansion and nutrient exchange.

Placement:
Bottom to lower-mid level. Encrusts best on flat rock, rubble, or vertical surfaces. Avoid placing near aggressive corals with sweeper tentacles.

Feeding:
Photosynthetic, but will accept broadcast feeding. Benefits from fine particle coral foods like reef roids or powdered blends. Feeding enhances color saturation and growth.

Aggression Level:
Low. Lacks long sweepers but can slowly overgrow neighboring tissue if not given space. Mount with clearance or isolate on its own rock.

Growth Rate:
Moderate. Encrusts steadily under stable conditions. Will slowly spread in a uniform sheet across hard surfaces.

Difficulty:
Easy. One of the most beginner-friendly encrusting LPS corals available.

Additional Notes

This frag is fully healed, encrusted on its plug, and actively extending polyps. Fire Lava Cyphastrea thrives in shaded or low-competition areas where it can spread undisturbed, making it an excellent accent coral for aquascapes with height and overhangs.

Its low light needs make it a strong candidate for nano tanks, low zones of larger reefs, or racks shaded by SPS colonies. A staple in many collector tanks for its color, ease of care, and slow, steady growth.