Ultra Bowerbanki Coral

Placement, Lighting & Flow

Ultra Bowerbanki Coral (Homophyllia bowerbanki) generally performs best under low to moderate reef lighting. A PAR range of approximately 50–150 provides a suitable starting point, with the sandbed or lower rockwork usually offering an appropriate position.

Avoid immediately placing a newly introduced specimen under intense LED lighting. Bowerbanki can lose colour, remain contracted or suffer tissue stress when exposed to excessive light without acclimation. Begin conservatively and increase light exposure gradually if required.

Provide low to moderate, indirect water movement. Flow should be sufficient to prevent detritus settling within the folds of the colony while still allowing the large fleshy polyps to remain fully inflated. Strong direct flow can keep the coral contracted and may cause tissue to rub against its underlying skeleton.

Feeding & Nutrition

Bowerbanki is photosynthetic and receives a significant proportion of its energy from its symbiotic algae, but it is also a highly responsive feeder. Supplemental feeding is beneficial and can support stronger polyp inflation, tissue condition and growth.

Offer appropriately sized foods approximately once or twice per week if desired. Suitable options include mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, finely chopped marine foods and quality LPS coral pellets. The coral will often extend feeding tentacles when food is detected in the water, particularly during the evening.

Feed small amounts rather than placing oversized pieces onto the polyps. Uneaten food can become trapped within the fleshy colony and deteriorate, so avoid excessive feeding and maintain good water quality.

Compatibility & Spacing

Bowerbanki should be treated as an aggressive LPS coral. It can extend feeding and sweeper tentacles capable of stinging neighbouring corals, particularly after dark or when food is present.

Allow a generous clear area around the colony and remember that the expanded tissue occupies considerably more space than the underlying skeleton. Around 8–10 cm of initial clearance is a sensible minimum for most specimens, with additional room provided if extended tentacles reach farther.

Do not place prized LPS, SPS or other fleshy corals directly beside the colony. Bowerbanki works well in mixed reef aquariums when given its own territory and protected from more aggressive neighbours with longer sweeper tentacles.

Growth & Behaviour

Homophyllia bowerbanki develops a thick, fleshy mounding colony over a stony skeleton. Individual corallites can become very large and inflated, creating the distinctive cushion-like appearance for which Bowerbanki is known.

Growth is generally slow compared with many other colonial LPS corals. Stable conditions and regular supplemental feeding can improve growth, but Bowerbanki should be considered a long-term showpiece rather than a rapidly expanding coral.

Healthy specimens normally show substantial tissue inflation. Feeding tentacles may appear after dark, during feeding or whenever dissolved food enters the water.

Acclimation & Introduction

After transport, place the coral in a relatively sheltered lower-light position with gentle indirect flow. Allow it time to inflate and settle before deciding whether a different permanent position is necessary.

Bowerbanki may take some time to fully inflate following transport or a change of aquarium. Avoid repeatedly moving the coral during this adjustment period unless there is a clear problem with lighting or water movement.

Inspect all new specimens carefully before introduction. Examine the tissue margins, underside and exposed skeleton for injury, recession, unwanted algae or pests. A suitable coral dip and separate observation or quarantine period can reduce the risk of introducing unwanted organisms into the display aquarium.

Common Problems & Prevention

The large fleshy tissue of Bowerbanki is susceptible to physical damage. Strong direct water movement, contact with sharp rockwork, rough handling or stings from neighbouring corals can damage the tissue and expose the underlying skeleton.

Excessive lighting may cause poor expansion, colour loss or bleaching, while insufficient water movement can allow detritus to accumulate within the folds of the colony. Aim for gentle circulation that keeps the surface clean without continuously disturbing the tissue.

Tissue recession should be investigated promptly. Damaged areas can become vulnerable to bacterial infection or algae growing over exposed skeleton. Maintaining stable conditions and preventing physical injury are considerably more effective than repeatedly changing placement after problems have developed.

Signs of Stress

Temporary contraction after transport, handling or feeding is normal. Persistent deflation, loss of colour, bleaching, excessive mucus, exposed skeleton or tissue visibly pulling away from the skeleton indicate that the coral should be investigated.

Check lighting and flow first, followed by salinity, temperature and general aquarium stability. Because the coral naturally carries substantial fleshy tissue, a noticeable reduction in normal inflation can be a particularly useful early indicator that conditions are unsuitable.

Handling & Fragging

Handle Bowerbanki by the exposed skeleton or mounting base whenever possible. Avoid pressing directly against inflated polyps, as the soft tissue can tear against the sharp skeletal structure beneath it.

Established colonies can be propagated using a suitable coral saw to divide the skeleton between corallites. Avoid cutting through healthy fleshy tissue wherever possible and only frag robust, established colonies. Newly cut pieces should be allowed to recover under stable conditions with gentle indirect flow.

Wear gloves and eye protection when handling or fragging corals and clean tools between specimens to reduce the risk of transferring contaminants or pathogens.

Who Is This Coral Best Suited For?

Ultra Bowerbanki Coral is well suited to intermediate reef keepers looking for a substantial, colourful LPS showpiece. It performs best in an established aquarium where low to moderate lighting, gentle flow, adequate feeding and sufficient space from neighbouring corals can be provided consistently.