Seriatopora hystrix
| Care Level | Intermediate — good starter SPS |
| Lighting | Moderate to high |
| Water Flow | Moderate to high |
| Placement | Mid to upper rock |
| Aggression | Peaceful |
| Coloration | Pink, green, cream needle-tipped branches |
Color Variations
Birdsnest Coral is available in several designer color morphs. The coloration is purely cosmetic — every one takes the same care described above.
Overview
Birdsnest Coral forms delicate, tightly branching thickets with fine, needle-tipped tips. It is one of the easiest and fastest-growing SPS corals, making it a great first branching SPS. Pink and “Ponape” birdsnests are hobby favorites. (The similar “Bird of Paradise” is a close Seriatopora relative kept the same way.)
Care & Placement
Give moderate-to-high light and moderate-to-high, turbulent flow to keep the fine branches clean. Mount mid-to-upper on rock. It grows fast when parameters (calcium, alkalinity, magnesium) are stable.
Feeding
Photosynthetic; stable water is far more important than feeding. Light amino-acid or fine coral-food dosing can enhance color, but consistency of alkalinity is what matters most.
Propagation
Extremely easy to frag — the brittle branches snap off cleanly; glue a piece to a plug and it takes off. Birdsnest is one of the best SPS to learn fragging on.
Full step-by-step: How to Frag Acropora and Other Branching SPS
Cautions
The fine branches are brittle — handle gently. Sensitive to alkalinity swings like all SPS; keep parameters stable. Needs good flow or detritus settles in the branches.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is birdsnest coral good for beginners?
It’s a good first Acropora-family SPS, hardier than most Acropora, with delicate branching growth. Best once your parameters are stable.
What light and flow does birdsnest need?
Moderate to high light and moderate to high, turbulent flow to keep detritus off its fine branches. Stable alkalinity is key.
Why are the tips of my birdsnest turning white?
White tips can be new growth (good) or bleaching from parameter swings (bad). If tissue is receding from the tips downward, check alkalinity stability and flow.