{"id":13648,"date":"2026-02-18T01:17:40","date_gmt":"2026-02-18T01:17:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/product\/tongue-hard-coral-polyphyllia-sp\/"},"modified":"2026-02-18T01:17:40","modified_gmt":"2026-02-18T01:17:40","slug":"tongue-hard-coral-polyphyllia-sp","status":"publish","type":"product","link":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/?product=tongue-hard-coral-polyphyllia-sp","title":{"rendered":"Tongue Hard Coral Polyphyllia Sp"},"content":{"rendered":"

Tongue Hard Coral (Polyphyllia sp.)<\/strong><\/h2>\n

(Also known as Tongue Coral, Carpet Coral, or Slipper Coral)<\/em><\/p>\n

Overview<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The Tongue Hard Coral (Polyphyllia<\/em> sp.) is a unique and visually striking large-polyp stony (LPS) coral<\/strong>, named for its elongated, tongue-shaped body<\/strong> and fleshy, carpet-like surface<\/strong> covered with small, waving polyps. Typically found in shades of tan, brown, green, or grey<\/strong>, many specimens develop fluorescent highlights<\/strong> under actinic lighting, creating a subtle yet captivating display. The coral\u2019s free-living nature and undulating movement across the substrate make it a fascinating addition to reef aquariums. Hardy, adaptable, and peaceful, Polyphyllia<\/em> is suitable for both novice and experienced aquarists seeking a distinctive bottom-dwelling coral.<\/p>\n

Origin<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Native to the Indo-Pacific region<\/strong>, including the Great Barrier Reef, Coral Sea, Fiji, Tonga, Indonesia, and the Maldives<\/strong>. Commonly found on sandy reef flats, lagoon floors, and lower reef slopes<\/strong>, where it lies unattached and moves slightly with water flow.<\/p>\n

Feeding<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The Tongue Coral is photosynthetic<\/strong>, deriving most of its energy from zooxanthellae<\/strong> in its tissue. It also benefits from supplemental feeding to promote growth and coloration. Feed 1\u20132 times per week<\/strong> with:<\/p>\n

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  • \n

    Mysis or finely chopped seafood<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    Marine plankton or LPS coral foods<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n

    Coral pellets or powdered blends<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Feed when tentacles are extended (usually at night or under reduced flow).<\/p>\n

    Lighting<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    Low to moderate lighting.<\/strong> Provide diffused illumination from LED, T5, or hybrid systems<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

      \n
    • \n

      PAR range: 75\u2013150 \u00b5mol\/m\u00b2\/s<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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      Avoid strong, direct light which can cause bleaching or tissue retraction.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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      Blue-spectrum lighting enhances fluorescence and subtle coloration.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Water Flow<\/strong><\/h3>\n

      Low to moderate, indirect flow.<\/strong> Gentle, variable currents help keep the coral free of debris without disturbing its position. Too much flow may prevent the tissue from expanding fully or cause damage to its soft underside.<\/p>\n

      Placement<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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      • \n

        Place on the sandy substrate<\/strong> or a flat, open area<\/strong> of the aquarium floor.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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        Do not wedge or glue to rockwork \u2014 Polyphyllia<\/em> is a free-living coral<\/strong> and can slowly move to find suitable conditions.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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        Allow 10\u201315 cm (4\u20136 inches)<\/strong> of space between neighbouring corals to avoid stings or crowding.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

      • \n

        Avoid sharp rock edges beneath the coral, which can damage its soft tissue.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Tank Mates<\/strong><\/h3>\n

        Reef safe.<\/strong> Compatible with:<\/p>\n

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        • \n

          Peaceful reef-safe fish (gobies, tangs, wrasses, clownfish, etc.)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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          Shrimp, snails, and hermit crabs<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

        • \n

          Other non-aggressive LPS or soft corals<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          Avoid:<\/p>\n

            \n
          • \n

            Aggressive corals (e.g., Galaxea, Euphyllia, Hydnophora) in close proximity<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

          • \n

            Butterflyfish, large angelfish, or puffers that may nip the coral\u2019s fleshy surface<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            Aggression<\/strong><\/h3>\n

            Peaceful.<\/strong> Polyphyllia<\/em> has weak defensive tentacles and is easily damaged by aggressive neighbours. It does not actively sting other corals, making it an excellent community LPS.<\/p>\n

            Experience Level<\/strong><\/h3>\n

            Beginner to intermediate.<\/strong> The Tongue Coral is hardy and adaptable but requires stable water chemistry and gentle handling. It\u2019s ideal for aquarists looking to add a unique, bottom-dwelling LPS coral to their reef system.<\/p>\n

            Water Parameters<\/strong><\/h3>\n
              \n
            • \n

              Temperature:<\/strong> 24\u201327\u00b0C (75\u201381\u00b0F)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

            • \n

              pH:<\/strong> 8.1\u20138.4<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

            • \n

              Salinity:<\/strong> 1.024\u20131.026 SG<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

            • \n

              Alkalinity (dKH):<\/strong> 8\u201312<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

            • \n

              Calcium:<\/strong> 400\u2013450 ppm<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

            • \n

              Magnesium:<\/strong> 1250\u20131350 ppm<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

            • \n

              Nitrate:<\/strong> <10 ppm<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

            • \n

              Phosphate:<\/strong> <0.03 ppm<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

            • \n

              Tank Size:<\/strong> Minimum 100 litres (25 gallons)<\/strong> for small specimens; larger systems preferred for mature colonies<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              Consistent calcium, alkalinity, and nutrient stability will ensure long-term health and colouration.<\/p>\n

              Reef Compatibility<\/strong><\/h3>\n

              Fully reef safe.<\/strong> The Tongue Hard Coral adds an organic, natural feel to reef aquariums. Its unusual shape and movement make it a standout piece on the sandbed, while its peaceful nature ensures compatibility with a wide variety of tank mates.<\/p>\n

              \n

              Interesting Fact<\/strong><\/h3>\n

              Unlike most corals, Polyphyllia<\/em> corals are mobile<\/strong> \u2014 capable of slowly moving across the substrate using their soft tissue and subtle water pressure changes to reposition themselves for optimal light and flow.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

              Tongue Hard Coral (Polyphyllia sp.) (Also known as Tongue Coral, Carpet Coral, or Slipper Coral) Overview The Tongue Hard Coral (Polyphyllia sp.) is a unique and visually striking large-polyp stony (LPS) coral, named for its elongated, tongue-shaped body and fleshy, carpet-like surface covered with small, waving polyps. Typically found in shades of tan, brown, green, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":13647,"template":"","meta":[],"product_brand":[],"product_cat":[74],"product_tag":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-13648","1":"product","2":"type-product","3":"status-publish","4":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"product_cat-hard-corals","8":"first","9":"instock","10":"taxable","11":"shipping-taxable","12":"purchasable","13":"product-type-simple"},"group_of_quantity":0,"min_quantity":0,"max_quantity":"","exclude_order_quantity_value_rules":"no","exclude_category_quantity_rules":"no","combine_variations":"no","exclude_global_add_ons":[],"addons":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/product\/13648","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/product"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/product"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/13647"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=13648"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"product_brand","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fproduct_brand&post=13648"},{"taxonomy":"product_cat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fproduct_cat&post=13648"},{"taxonomy":"product_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fproduct_tag&post=13648"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}