🔹 Chernobyl Elegance Coral
Catalaphyllia jardinei (Large Size – Ultra Morph)
🔹 Quick Stats
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Semi-aggressive (long sweeper tentacles, requires space)
Colour Form: Radiant toxic green tentacles with contrasting glowing tips, producing an otherworldly, radioactive-like effect under blue and actinic lighting.
Water Conditions: 24–27 °C, dKH 8–12, pH 8.0–8.4, sg 1.024–1.026
Family: Euphylliidae
Lighting: Moderate to high (enhances glow effect)
Supplements: Calcium, Magnesium, Trace Elements, Amino Acids
Water Flow: Gentle to moderate — allows tentacles to sway naturally without tissue damage
Placement: Sand bed or stable substrate, away from aggressive neighbours
🧬 Overview
The Chernobyl Elegance Coral is a rare and highly sought-after Catalaphyllia morph, featuring bright, glowing green tissue with intense fluorescent tips that seem to radiate energy under reef lighting. Its long, flowing tentacles create a dramatic, anemone-like movement, making it a breathtaking centerpiece coral. Due to its large size and vibrant glow, it is a true collector’s specimen often compared to the luminosity of radioactive light.
🍽️ Feeding & Care
While photosynthetic, Catalaphyllia thrive with 2–3 weekly feedings of meaty foods such as mysis shrimp, enriched brine, or chopped seafood. Target feeding supports growth, maintains tissue health, and enhances fluorescent colour intensity. Ensure adequate space around the colony, as it can extend sweeper tentacles at night.
📈 Optimal Parameters
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Alkalinity (dKH): 8–12
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Calcium (Ca): 420–460 ppm
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Magnesium (Mg): 1250–1350 ppm
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Nitrate (NO₃): 2–10 ppm
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Phosphate (PO₄): 0.02–0.08 ppm
📍 Placement
Place on the sand bed or stable area with gentle to moderate flow to allow natural tentacle movement. Avoid high flow zones that may stress tissue. Under actinic or blue spectrum lighting, the fluorescent glow intensifies, creating a “radioactive” appearance.
📸 WYSIWYG Note
This coral is sold as WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get). The exact large-size Chernobyl Catalaphyllia photographed is the one you will receive.