Meteor Shower Cyphastrea

Meteor Shower Cyphastrea: A Colorful, Easy-Going SPS for Reef Tanks

Meteor Shower Cyphastrea is a standout small polyp stony (SPS) coral that combines intense color with forgiving care requirements. Its bright turquoise base and glowing orange polyps create a starry, cosmic look that pops in nano tanks and large reefs alike.

Appearance and Placement in the Reef Aquarium

This encrusting coral forms a smooth, plating mat over rock, plugs, and even overflow boxes if given time. Meteor Shower Cyphastrea is ideal for adding color to lower rockwork and shaded areas where many SPS corals struggle.

  • Growth form: Encrusting, forming a thin, colorful layer over hard surfaces
  • Coloration: Teal to blue base with bright orange to red polyps
  • Best placement: Lower to mid rockwork, or shaded ledges

Because it spreads over any solid surface, give it a dedicated rock or island if you want to control where it grows. This also makes it a great option for covering bare rock in newer reef tanks.

Lighting, Flow, and Water Parameters

Meteor Shower Cyphastrea is much more tolerant of lower light than many SPS corals. In fact, too much light can wash out its colors.

  • Lighting: Low to moderate PAR (50–150). Start in lower light and slowly move brighter if needed.
  • Flow: Moderate, indirect flow to keep detritus off the surface without blasting the tissue.
  • Temperature: 76–78°F (24–26°C)
  • Salinity: 1.025–1.026 specific gravity
  • Alkalinity: 8–9.5 dKH with minimal daily swings
  • Calcium & Magnesium: 400–450 ppm Ca, 1300–1400 ppm Mg

Tip: If your Meteor Shower Cyphastrea starts to pale, reduce light intensity or move it to a shadier spot before changing other parameters.

Feeding, Growth, and Long-Term Care

While Meteor Shower Cyphastrea can thrive on light and stable nutrients alone, it often shows better color and growth with occasional feeding.

  • Target feed a fine coral food or powdered plankton 1–2 times per week.
  • Keep nutrients detectable but not excessive (NO3 5–15 ppm, PO4 0.03–0.1 ppm).
  • Maintain strong export via skimming, refugium, or regular water changes.
  • Dip new corals to reduce the risk of pests and monitor for any tissue loss.

Once established, this coral can slowly carpet the rock it’s on. Plan ahead so it doesn’t crowd delicate neighbors. Regular observation and gentle pruning of surrounding corals will keep your scape balanced.

Is Meteor Shower Cyphastrea Right for Your Tank?

This coral is a perfect bridge between beginner-friendly soft corals and more demanding SPS. If you already keep hardy species like zoanthids or mushrooms and want to explore SPS without jumping straight into acropora, Meteor Shower Cyphastrea is an excellent next step.

For more coral care guides, check out our articles on Torch Coral Care and our overview of Best Beginner SPS Corals. If you’re planning a new setup, our Reef Tank Lighting Basics guide can help you dial in the right PAR for this species.