Tubastraea sp.
| Care Level | Advanced — must be fed |
| Lighting | None required (NPS) |
| Water Flow | Moderate |
| Placement | Shaded ledge or overhang |
| Aggression | Peaceful |
| Coloration | Brilliant orange, yellow, or black |
Color Variations
Sun corals come in several color forms beyond the familiar bright orange — including a sunny yellow and a striking dark, near-black morph. All are the same non-photosynthetic Tubastraea and take identical care: the color is purely cosmetic, and every one of them must be regularly fed to survive.
Overview
The Sun Coral is a spectacular non-photosynthetic (NPS) LPS whose glowing orange polyps open like a field of tiny suns — but only when fed. It does not rely on light, which means every polyp must be fed by hand, making it a rewarding but demanding coral.
Care & Placement
Because it is non-photosynthetic, place it in a shaded spot (under a ledge or overhang) with moderate flow. It typically keeps its polyps closed until it smells food, then opens fully to feed. Many keepers train it to open on a schedule.
Feeding
MUST be target-fed — this is the whole commitment. Feed every polyp meaty foods (mysis, chopped seafood, enriched brine) several times a week, ideally daily. A feeding chamber or turning off flow while feeding helps. An unfed sun coral slowly starves.
Propagation
Frag by cutting the skeleton between polyps; each polyp can become a new colony. It also produces baby polyps (spat) nearby.
Cautions
Advanced due to feeding demands — skipping feedings leads to starvation and tissue loss. The heavy feeding adds nutrients, so keep up with water changes and nutrient export.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is sun coral hard to keep?
It’s more demanding because it’s non-photosynthetic. It has no zooxanthellae, so it depends entirely on you feeding it, which makes it a coral for dedicated keepers rather than beginners.
How do I feed sun coral?
Feed every polyp meaty foods like mysis, brine, or small pellets at least several times a week, ideally daily, when the polyps are open. Many keepers place it where they can target-feed easily or use a feeding chamber.
Does sun coral need light?
No. Because it’s non-photosynthetic it can be placed in shaded or lower-light spots. What it needs is regular feeding and moderate flow, not bright light.