Leptastrea sp.
| Care Level | Easy to moderate |
| Lighting | Low to moderate |
| Water Flow | Moderate |
| Placement | Rock, low to mid tank |
| Aggression | Semi-aggressive (potent night sting) |
| Coloration | Green, orange, pink |
Overview
Leptastrea is a hardy encrusting stony coral with small, tightly-packed corallites, often in vivid greens, oranges, and pinks. It is easy, colorful, and quick to encrust across rock — a great first “SPS-type” coral — but it hides a surprisingly potent sting.
Care & Placement
Easy to moderate. It adapts to a wide range of light and moderate flow, spreading a colorful crust over the rockwork. It is one of the more forgiving stony corals, which makes it beginner-friendly as long as basic parameters are stable.
Feeding
Photosynthetic and largely self-sufficient on light; it will take small meaty foods at night, but feeding is optional.
Propagation
Very easy: cut or snap off an encrusted piece and glue it to a plug. It readily encrusts and spreads onto new surfaces.
Cautions
Despite its small size, Leptastrea has a strong nighttime sting and will kill corals it grows into or reaches with its sweeper tentacles. Give it a clear buffer — it is far more aggressive than it looks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Leptastrea a good beginner coral?
Yes. It is hardy, adaptable to a range of light and flow, and colors up well, which makes it an easy step into stony corals — provided you respect its aggression and give it space.
Is Leptastrea aggressive?
Surprisingly, yes. It packs a potent nighttime sting and will kill neighbors it grows into or reaches, so leave an open buffer around it despite its small, unassuming appearance.
How fast does Leptastrea spread?
Fairly quickly for a stony coral — it encrusts steadily across rock under good conditions, so give it room and watch that it does not overrun slower neighbors.