{"product_id":"orange-plating-psammacora-under-25-pea-u25-n1121","title":"Orange Plating Psammacora","description":"\u003cp data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOrange Plating Psammacora, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePsammocora\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e spp. and related species\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, is a reef-building coral valued for its vivid coloration, finely ridged surface, and attractive plating growth form. This specimen displays an intense orange to burnt-orange coloration across broad, gently folded plates, with fine radiating ridges creating a highly detailed textured appearance.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePsammocora\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e corals form calcium carbonate skeletons covered by thin living tissue and numerous small corallites. Depending on species and growing conditions, colonies may develop encrusting, massive, branching, or plate-like forms. The finely textured surface and tightly arranged skeletal ridges are characteristic features of the genus.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Orange Plating Psammacora is especially attractive because of the combination of strong orange coloration and sculptural growth. As the colony expands, the plate can develop folds, overlapping margins, and raised contours that add depth and visual movement to the reef display. Under blue-rich aquarium lighting, the orange pigmentation can become especially vivid.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLike other photosynthetic reef-building corals, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePsammocora\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e contains symbiotic photosynthetic dinoflagellates that provide much of its nutritional energy. Its small polyps may also capture very fine suspended planktonic and particulate foods from the surrounding water.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStable water chemistry is important for maintaining healthy skeletal growth and coloration. Consistent alkalinity, calcium, magnesium, temperature, salinity, and nutrient levels help support continued calcification. Moderate variable water movement helps deliver oxygen and nutrients across the broad colony surface while reducing detritus accumulation within folds and depressions.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBecause the colony develops outward as it plates and encrusts, adequate room should be left around the specimen for continued growth. Avoid placing aggressive neighboring corals where their sweeper tentacles or expanding tissue could contact the plate margins.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eExact species-level identification within \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePsammocora\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e can be difficult from external appearance alone, and several accepted species within the genus have overlapping growth characteristics. For this specimen, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePsammocora\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e spp. and related species\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is the most scientifically responsible identification.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eScientific Identification:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePsammocora\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e spp. and related species\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Psammacora Coral\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCare Level:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Moderate\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLighting:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Moderate\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWater Flow:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Moderate, indirect and variable\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlacement:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Lower to middle areas of the aquarium depending on lighting intensity\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Generally peaceful; provide adequate space from more aggressive neighboring corals\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReef Compatibility:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Reef safe\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Primarily photosynthetic; may also capture very fine planktonic and suspended particulate foods\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGrowth Form:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Plating to encrusting calcium carbonate skeleton with fine ridges and numerous small corallites\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWater Parameters:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Maintain stable reef aquarium temperature and salinity with consistent alkalinity, calcium, and magnesium. Maintain measurable and reasonably stable nitrate and phosphate levels.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpecial Considerations:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Avoid abrupt changes in alkalinity, salinity, lighting, or nutrient levels. Moderate variable water movement helps keep the textured surface and folds free of accumulated debris. Gradually acclimate the coral when moving it into stronger lighting. Leave room around the colony for outward plating and encrusting growth.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Pacific East Aquaculture, Inc.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67978987045097,"sku":"U25 N1121","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2133\/7655\/files\/orange-plating-psammacora-lps-under-25-pea-u25-N1121.jpg?v=1794431993","url":"https:\/\/pacificeastaquaculture.com\/products\/orange-plating-psammacora-under-25-pea-u25-n1121","provider":"Pacific East Aquaculture","version":"1.0","type":"link"}