Balanophyllia Sunburst Coral

Balanophyllia sp.

Care Level	Expert
Lighting	Low (non-photosynthetic)
Water Flow	Moderate
Placement	Low rock, shaded ledge or sand
Aggression	Peaceful
Coloration	Bright orange to red-orange with translucent tentacles

Overview

Balanophyllia — sold in the hobby as the Sunburst or Solitary Sun Coral — is a non-photosynthetic stony coral that grows as a single large polyp (one head per skeleton), rather than the clustered colonies of true sun coral (Tubastraea). Its glowing orange body and translucent feeding tentacles make it a jewel-like showpiece, but like all azooxanthellate corals it must be fed to survive.

Care & Placement

It contains no zooxanthellae, so lighting is irrelevant — place it low in a shaded spot (an overhang, ledge or the sand bed) with moderate flow. It keeps its tentacles retracted during the day and extends them to feed, usually in the evening or when it senses food in the water.

Feeding

The key to keeping it alive: each polyp must be individually target-fed 3–5 times a week with meaty foods — mysis, chopped shrimp, brine and coral foods. Coax the tentacles out first with a little food “scent” in the water, then spot-feed the head with a pipette or turkey baster. Starved specimens slowly shrink and die.

Propagation

Solitary and not readily propagated in the aquarium; it grows by enlarging its single polyp.

Cautions

EXPERT-LEVEL feeding commitment — a non-photosynthetic coral that will starve without frequent, direct target feeding. The extra food raises nutrients, so pair it with strong filtration and export. Keep it away from aggressive tankmates that would steal its food before the tentacles open.