{"id":3576,"date":"2026-02-16T23:28:55","date_gmt":"2026-02-16T23:28:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/product\/coral-sea-bubble-hard-coral-plerogyra-sp\/"},"modified":"2026-02-16T23:28:55","modified_gmt":"2026-02-16T23:28:55","slug":"coral-sea-bubble-hard-coral-plerogyra-sp","status":"publish","type":"product","link":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/?product=coral-sea-bubble-hard-coral-plerogyra-sp","title":{"rendered":"Coral Sea Bubble Hard Coral Plerogyra Sp"},"content":{"rendered":"

Coral Sea Bubble Hard Coral (Plerogyra sp.)<\/strong><\/h2>\n

(Also known as Bubble Coral, Pearl Coral, or Grape Coral)<\/em><\/p>\n

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

The Coral Sea Bubble Coral (Plerogyra<\/em> sp.) is a distinctive and eye-catching large-polyp stony (LPS) coral<\/strong>recognised for its large, inflated, bubble-like vesicles<\/strong> that shimmer under aquarium lighting. These translucent \u201cbubbles\u201d expand during the day to maximise light exposure and contract at night, revealing the coral\u2019s hard skeleton and sweeper tentacles. Typically green, cream, or metallic blue in colour, this coral adds unique shape and motion to reef aquariums. Hardy and moderately easy to care for, Plerogyra<\/em> is a long-standing favourite among LPS enthusiasts.<\/p>\n

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

Native to the Indo-Pacific region<\/strong>, including the Coral Sea, Fiji, Tonga, Indonesia, and the Great Barrier Reef. Found in sheltered reef slopes and lagoons<\/strong> with moderate light and gentle water flow.<\/p>\n

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

The Bubble Coral is photosynthetic<\/strong>, housing zooxanthellae<\/strong> that provide most of its nutrition through photosynthesis. Supplemental feeding improves growth, colour, and bubble inflation. Offer 1\u20132 feedings per week<\/strong> of:<\/p>\n

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  • \n

    Mysis shrimp or finely chopped meaty foods<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    Marine snow or zooplankton blends<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    Specialised LPS coral foods<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Feed at night or during reduced lighting when the coral\u2019s feeder tentacles are extended.<\/p>\n

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

    Low to moderate lighting.<\/strong> Plerogyra<\/em> prefers gentle, indirect illumination from LED, T5, or metal halide<\/strong> lighting.<\/p>\n

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

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      Excessive light can cause bleaching or reduced bubble expansion.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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      Blue-spectrum lighting enhances its natural iridescence.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

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

      Low to moderate, indirect flow.<\/strong> Gentle currents are ideal to prevent debris buildup and promote gas exchange. Avoid direct flow, as it may cause the bubbles to tear or retract excessively.<\/p>\n

      Placement<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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        Position in the lower regions<\/strong> of the aquarium, ideally on sandy substrate<\/strong> or stable rockwork sheltered from strong current.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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        Provide ample space (15\u201320 cm \/ 6\u20138 inches)<\/strong> around the coral \u2014 Plerogyra<\/em> extends long, stinging sweeper tentacles at night.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

      • \n

        Avoid contact with rocks or corals that could puncture its delicate tissue.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

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

        Reef safe with caution.<\/strong> Suitable companions include:<\/p>\n

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

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          Peaceful invertebrates such as snails, shrimp, and hermits<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

        • \n

          Other LPS corals placed at a safe distance<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          Avoid:<\/p>\n

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          • \n

            Aggressive corals (e.g., Galaxea, Euphyllia) within reach of its sweepers<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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            Butterflyfish, angelfish, and puffers that may nip at bubbles<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

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

            Moderately aggressive.<\/strong> At night, Plerogyra<\/em> extends long sweeper tentacles capable of stinging and damaging nearby corals. Maintain generous spacing to prevent coral warfare.<\/p>\n

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

            Beginner to intermediate.<\/strong> Plerogyra<\/em> is hardy and forgiving if kept in stable conditions with moderate light and low flow. Suitable for aquarists with basic LPS coral experience.<\/p>\n

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

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

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

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

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              Hardness (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

              Tank Size:<\/strong> Minimum 75 gallons (280L)<\/strong> for stability and space<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              Maintain excellent water quality and stability for healthy bubble expansion and tissue regeneration.<\/p>\n

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

              Reef safe with caution.<\/strong> The Coral Sea Bubble Coral makes a stunning centrepiece for LPS or mixed reef aquariums, but its long sweepers and delicate tissue require thoughtful placement. Under blue or actinic lighting, its inflated vesicles shimmer beautifully, making it a true show coral.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

              Coral Sea Bubble Hard Coral (Plerogyra sp.) (Also known as Bubble Coral, Pearl Coral, or Grape Coral) Overview The Coral Sea Bubble Coral (Plerogyra sp.) is a distinctive and eye-catching large-polyp stony (LPS) coralrecognised for its large, inflated, bubble-like vesicles that shimmer under aquarium lighting. These translucent \u201cbubbles\u201d expand during the day to maximise light […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":3575,"template":"","meta":[],"product_brand":[],"product_cat":[74],"product_tag":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-3576","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\/3576","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\/3575"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3576"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"product_brand","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fproduct_brand&post=3576"},{"taxonomy":"product_cat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fproduct_cat&post=3576"},{"taxonomy":"product_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fproduct_tag&post=3576"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}