Bubble Coral Care Tips

Welcome to Zeo Box Reef Aquaculture, your trusted source for high-quality Bubble Corals (Plerogyra sinuosa) and other similar species. Bubble corals are a favorite among reef aquarists due to their stunning beauty, relatively fast growth, and adaptability to various aquarium conditions. Despite their delicate appearance, these corals are remarkably resilient, making them an excellent choice for both beginner and experienced aquarists.

 

Physical Characteristics

Bubble corals, scientifically known as Plerogyra sinuosa, feature unique tentacles that have transformed into bubble- or grape-shaped vesicles. During the day, these vesicles expand and display an array of colours, including white, brown, bluish grey, green, or fawn, often adorned with an attractive "fingerprint" pattern. At night, the vesicles contract, and longer "sweeper" tentacles armed with stinging nematocysts emerge to aid in feeding and prevent neighbouring coral colonies from encroaching. The coral's skeleton, which is mostly hidden when the bubbles are inflated, possesses sharp, blade-like septa lining the top edge. The vesicles are directly attached to these septa. Finding a secure spot for the irregularly shaped bubble coral can be a challenge, requiring careful placement to prevent toppling and ensure the vesicles do not chafe against live rock. Adjustments to your tank's rockwork may be necessary to create the perfect niche for the coral.

It takes a lot to kill them

Bubble corals are surprisingly tough despite their delicate appearance. They can withstand minor accidents and recover quickly. Even after a tumble down the rockwork and landing upside down, these corals have demonstrated their resilience by fully re-expanding their vesicles within a few hours, showing no signs of damage.

Caution

While bubble corals can handle some rough treatment, it's important to note that they may not always survive severe abuse. Rough handling during collection, transport, or introduction to the aquarium can cause lacerations on the coral's tissue, making it susceptible to infections. To minimise the risk of damage, consider placing the bubble coral at the bottom of the tank with its skeleton partially buried in the substrate. However, avoid areas prone to detritus accumulation. If you notice sand or debris settling on the coral, gently lift it by its skeleton, invert it to dislodge particles, and then carefully place it back in its spot.  

Tank placement

Bubble corals are adaptable to a wide range of lighting conditions in the aquarium, as they are found in both turbid and brightly illuminated areas in nature. You can position them at different levels in your tank, taking care not to expose them to excessive light intensity right away. It's advisable to start with a lower placement and gradually move the coral upward, allowing it to acclimate to the specific lighting conditions of your tank.

Sweeper tentacles

Bubble corals have sweeper tentacles that, while not as long as those of other corals, still possess stinging capabilities. To prevent irritation or injury to neighbouring specimens, maintain a distance of approximately 15 centermetres between the bubble coral and other corals. If you observe neighbouring corals refusing to extend their polyps or signs of tissue damage facing the bubble coral, it is essential to relocate either specimen to a less volatile location.

Water Movement

Moderate water movement is beneficial for bubble corals. The gentle swaying and jiggling of the vesicles help keep them free from debris. Avoid direct blasting of powerheads onto the coral, as it may cause

FAQ

When will my order ship?

We ship orders out each Monday and Tuesday. Cut off time are Midnight Sunday or Monday. We may postpone shipments to the following week if we are advised by our shipping partner of delays or on public holidays. Information regarding tracking will be emailed once your order has shipped.

Is it possible to collect my order in person?

Customers have the option of picking up their orders locally by selecting the local pickup option during checkout. Upon placing an order, we will reach out to you within 24 hours to schedule a collection time. The pickup location is situated in Kingsgrove NSW.

Collections Times:

Weekdays - 9am - 2pm

Weekends - 9am -12pm

If required, we can arrange for collections outside of the above times as well.

In the event that my corals arrive deceased, what is the course of action?

To be eligible for our Arrive Alive Guarantee, it is necessary to send us well-defined pictures of the coral in its shipping container, within 2 hours of Star Track delivery time, via email at info@zeoboxreef.com.au.

For further information regarding the Arrive Alive Guarantee policy and claims process, kindly refer to our Arrive Alive Guarantee page.

With which courier company will my order be shipped?

We use Star Track Premium Express Freight to ship all of our orders as we have found them to be the most dependable door-to-door courier service accessible. We assess their performance every month to ensure the swiftest delivery service at a sensible cost. Additionally, we provide same-day airport-to-airport shipping, more details can be found on our Airport to Airport shipping page.

Do I have to be present at home to receive my order?

No, it is not necessary to be present as all orders are marked with an "Authority to leave" notice. If a secure and safe location is not available on your property and the order cannot be left at your doorstep, such as in the case of apartment buildings, we suggest having your order delivered to your workplace.

Can I expect the coral I see online to match what I receive in my order?

Shopping for live coral for sale online can be a source of worry for reef hobbyists, who can never be entirely sure what will arrive in the mail. Will it resemble the coral they saw online? While there is no substitute for an in-person viewing of the coral, we offer What You See Is What You Get (WYSIWYG) corals to alleviate concerns. Our WYSIWYG corals allow you to preview the actual coral fragment or colony before making a purchase. We take pride in photographing all our corals under Ecotech Radion G5 LED Light fixtures. We use professional-grade Full Frame DSLR cameras and lenses to capture the highest quality representation of the coral. We also provide multiple photos of the coral under different light spectrums, including full spectrum (white light) and heavy blue spectrum. We also offer size approximations for every coral in centimeters. This measurement is taken when the coral is fully expanded, providing you with a better understanding of the amount of space the coral will occupy in your aquarium.

What are the shipping costs?

  • Star Track Premium shipping service offers different rates based on the order amount.

  • Orders under $249 have a shipping cost of $45.
  • Orders $249 - $499 have a shipping cost of $29.
  • Orders $500 and over are shipped for free.

  • Same-day airport to airport shipping starts from $65. Lean more

How will my order be packaged?

Zeo Box Reef Aquaculture prides itself on being a leader in the industry for packaging and shipping corals. We have a meticulous approach to packaging methods to ensure that your order arrives in optimal condition. Our team carefully hand-picks and packs each order with great care. Coral fragments are placed in specially designed containers and secured using chemically inert foam floats. For larger corals, we use a double-bagging method and add activated carbon to achieve optimal water quality during shipping. To maintain the ideal temperature conditions during transit, we use thick-walled styrofoam boxes with heat/cold packs as needed. Our shipping options include door to door Star Track Premium freight or same day Airport-to-Airport delivery. Both options are fast and secure.