Orange Red Bernardpora

Orange Red Bernardpora, Bernardpora stutchburyi, is an encrusting to submassive stony coral known for its dense covering of small corallites and short, flower-like polyps. This specimen displays an intense orange-red to fiery red base with brilliant yellow to golden-yellow polyp centers, creating a striking high-contrast appearance under reef aquarium lighting.

Bernardpora stutchburyi was historically classified within Goniopora but was moved to the genus Bernardpora following taxonomic work that demonstrated important skeletal and evolutionary differences. Colonies characteristically develop small, shallow calices with closely packed septa, while the polyps are short and tapered and may remain extended during daylight hours.

When fully expanded, the numerous closely spaced polyps give the colony a soft, textured appearance despite the hard calcium carbonate skeleton beneath them. In this color morph, the vivid red-orange tissue is punctuated by bright yellow polyp centers, producing exceptional fluorescence and visual depth.

Like other photosynthetic reef-building corals, Bernardpora stutchburyi contains symbiotic photosynthetic dinoflagellates that provide much of its nutritional energy. The polyps can also capture very small suspended planktonic and particulate foods from the surrounding water.

Stable water chemistry, moderate lighting, and gentle to moderate variable water movement are important for maintaining healthy tissue, polyp extension, coloration, and skeletal growth. Avoid abrupt changes in lighting or water parameters, and allow adequate space between the colony and neighboring corals.

Care Guide

Scientific Name: Bernardpora stutchburyi
Common Name: Bernardpora Coral
Care Level: Moderate
Lighting: Moderate
Water Flow: Low to Moderate, indirect and variable
Placement: Lower to middle areas of the aquarium depending on lighting intensity
Temperament: Semi-aggressive; provide space from neighboring corals
Reef Compatibility: Reef safe with appropriate spacing
Feeding: Primarily photosynthetic; may also benefit from very small planktonic and particulate coral foods
Growth Form: Encrusting to submassive colony with densely packed small corallites and short tapered polyps
Water Parameters: Maintain stable reef aquarium temperature and salinity along with consistent alkalinity, calcium, and magnesium. Maintain measurable and reasonably stable nitrate and phosphate levels.
Special Considerations: Avoid strong direct flow that continually forces the polyps against the skeleton. Gradually acclimate the coral to stronger lighting. Maintain stable alkalinity and salinity, as rapid fluctuations can stress fleshy-polyped stony corals. Provide adequate spacing from neighboring colonies as the coral expands and encrusts surrounding substrate.