Gold Donut Coral (Large)

Quick facts

Handling caution: Sharp spiked skeleton beneath the flesh can cut bare hands or the coral's own tissue if mishandled

Identity

Also known as

Button Coral

Synonyms

Pectinia deshayesiana

Environment

Saltwater

Native to

Australia, Indonesia

Habitat

Deep inter-reef sand and rubble zones where a single free-living polyp rests loose on soft substrate rather than cementing to rock

Sourcing

Wild-caught

Conservation

Not Evaluated

Care

Care level

Moderate

Coral type

LPS

Temperament

Semi-Aggressive

Growth form

Solitary

Adult size

3 – 6 in (7.6 – 15 cm)

Spread

8 in (20 cm)

Growth rate

Slow

Placement

Sand bed

Water

Temperature

75 – 81 °F (24 – 27 °C)

pH

8.1 – 8.4

dKH

8 – 12 dKH

Salinity

1.023 – 1.025 SG

PAR

30 – 100 PAR

Flow

Low

Light

Low

Reef care

Nutrient preference

Medium

Alk/Ca uptake

Medium

Target feeding

Beneficial

Give it room

4 in (10 cm)

Colors

Multicolor

Feeding & breeding

Diet

Carnivore

Foods

Frozen, Pellets, Freeze-dried, Coral food, Zooplankton

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Care guide

Overview

Reaching roughly 3 to 6 inches across, this large specimen carries a gold-toned oral disc surrounding the deep central crater typical of the species. Sold as a single free-living polyp rather than a mounted frag, it should rest loose on sand with generous clearance from tankmates. Expect slow growth, nocturnal feeding tentacles, and a preference for dim, low-flow placement.

Care

This solitary meat coral does best resting directly on a soft sand bed rather than wedged against rock, since its underlying skeleton is sharply spiked and can tear through the fleshy tissue if it settles against something hard. Low, gentle and ideally variable flow suits it better than steady laminar current, which can expose the skeleton over time. Lighting should stay on the dim side, as excess intensity tends to cause bleaching or tissue recession rather than better color. Give it generous clearance from neighbors, because the polyp can inflate to several times its resting size during the day.

Placement & acclimation

Acclimate to light gradually after arrival, starting in a shaded lower position and only increasing exposure if the coral shows no stress. Set the polyp loose on a soft sand bed rather than mounting or gluing it, and choose a spot clear of sharp rubble or rockwork it could settle against. When repositioning, scoop it up along with some sand underneath instead of pulling it directly to avoid tearing the flesh on its own skeleton.

Feeding

Acanthophyllia feeds eagerly and will wrap its oral disc around almost any meaty item that fits, including mysis, krill, silversides, and LPS pellets. Target feeding once or twice a week noticeably speeds growth and improves coloration compared to relying on photosynthesis alone. Turning off flow briefly during feeding helps the coral hold food rather than having it swept away before it can close over the item.

Neighbors

Feeder tentacles extend mostly at night and can deliver a mild sting to corals that drift too close, so leave a few inches of open space around the polyp. It is generally considered peaceful to only mildly aggressive and pairs fine with typical reef fish and invertebrates. Because it can double in size when inflated, avoid placing faster growing or encroaching corals within its expansion radius.

Fragging

Acanthophyllia is a single free-living polyp and is not fragged in the hobby, so essentially all specimens in the trade are wild collected rather than propagated.

Pests & problems

Tissue recession or bleaching usually points to too much light or unstable alkalinity and calcium, both of which this species is somewhat sensitive to compared with tougher LPS. Strong or constant unidirectional flow can gradually expose the skeleton at high points on the polyp, so watch for thinning flesh over ridges. Rough handling or placement against rock is the most common cause of physical tears, which can take weeks to heal.

Sources

1. Donut coral care: tank size, temperature and tankmates · TankBud
2. Acanthophyllia Care Guide | Donut Coral LPS Lighting, Flow & Feeding - Extreme Corals
3. Coral Spotlight | Acanthophyllia | Reef Central Online Community
4. Acanthophyllia Coral Care - Tidal Gardens

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