Seriatopora species form clusters of corals commonly referred to as “the Bird’s Nest Corals”. Although these are one of the hardiest and fastest growing SPS corals in the aquarium hobby, they have been also known to be very temperamental and need very mature stable conditions for them to thrive.
In this article, you will know how to care for the Bird’s Nest Corals and what you should do to avoid potential problems with them.
Quick Notes about Birds’ Nest Corals
| Name | Birds’ Nest Corals |
| Other Names |
Finger Coral, Needle Coral, Bush Coral, Brush Coral, Thorns of Christ Coral, Birdsnest coral, and Thin Bird’s nest Coral |
| Scientific Name | Seriatopora sp. |
| Tank size (minimum) | 10 gallons (~40 liters) |
| Keeping | Easy to moderate |
| Propagation | Easy |
| Lighting |
Moderate to high |
| Water flow | Moderate |
| Optimal Temperature | 23 – 28°C (~74°F – 83°F) |
| Optimal Salinity | SG = 1.023 – 1.025 |
| Optimal PH | 8.1 – 8.4 |
| Optimal KH | 8 – 12 |
| Nitrate | Less than 10 ppm |
| Feeding | Does not require |
| Growth Form |
Stem |
| Growth Rate | Fast |
| Toxicity |
No |
| Invasive | No |
| Aggressiveness | Peaceful |
| Color Form | Purple, blue, green, brown, pink or yellow |
Natural Habitat of the Birds’ Nest Corals
The Seriatopora hystrix species inhabit in shallow reef habitats in the Indo Pacific. The corals can be found around the islands of the Indo-Pacific such as Fiji, Solomon Islands, and the Great Barrier Reef.
They may dwell between 1 to 30 m (3 – 120 feet) underwater. The depth makes the coral either thicker or thinner, and can also affect how much water flow and light they can stand.
Description of the Birds’ Nest Corals
Currently, there are 7 species of Seriatopora with Seriatopora hystrix being the most commonly seen species in the hobby.
Seriatopora hystrix is considered to be a small stony polyp coral (SPS). It is also called Needle Coral, Brush coral, Thorns of Christ Coral, Birdsnest coral, Brush coral, Thin Birdsnest Coral, and some other names.
The Bird’s Nest Coral has branches with a slender base. The branches may have spikes or be smooth. You can tell the Seriatopora hystrix apart from other corals based on the structure (the length of the branches are in the neat little rows) and their coloring.
For example, some of the species are solid pink, yellow, or purple. If you see a brown Seriatopora hystrix, it will often have green or pink highlights.
These corals can pretty big where some of them can easily reach 10 – 12 inches (or 25 – 30 cm).
| Seriatopora hystrix is on the IUCN Red List of Endangered Species, along with several other species of the same genus. There is less concern about extinction with this species compared to the other species. The species is labelled “least concern”. Other species such as the S. dendritica species and the S. aculeata species are labelled as vulnerable |
Feeding Birds’ Nest Corals
There is a type of marine algae, known as zooxanthellae, that lives in a symbiotic relationship with the S. Hystrix. The zooxanthellae use photosynthesis in order to create sustenance. This is how the Bird’s Nest Corals receive most of their nutrients.
This species can also capture small food particles in their water columns and capture planktonic organisms. In addition, the species can absorb dissolved organic matter and can be fed fine particle foods weekly (such as Marine Snow). Calcium, Magnesium, Strontium, and Trace Elements should be added as supplements when needed.
Basically, all the Bird’s Nest Corals need is a well-feed reef tank, along with some fish, snails, crabs, shrimp, etc. for organic matter production.
Keeping Birds’ Nest Corals
The Bird’s Nest Coral takes an adjustment period in order to survive but they only need moderate care.
The species needs to be at least 3 inches (~7 cm) apart from other types of coral. They are, however, compatible with other members of the Seriatopora genus. The species should be placed at the top or mid-section of the tank.
Tanks should also be well-established before you introduce the coral because the coral may be unable to adapt to the tank. The species needs time to adapt to your tank and will establish rapidly after they do.
Tank Size
Considering the fact that the Bird’s Nest Corals can grow big anough, I would say that a 10 gallon (40 liters) tank should be the minimum size for these corals. More is fine and can provide extra room to space out your corals if needed.
Lighting Requirements
When it comes to lighting, we have to take into consideration varieties of the Bird’s Nest Corals. In nature, according to the study, the same species can live in different reef habitats and adapt to different light between locations and also across depths at a single location.
Note: The Seriatopora Hystrix that are found in lower depths with lower water flow will have thinner branches.
It means that even within the same species the coral can have genetic differences. Therefore, some yellow Bird’s Nest Corals can thrive in low light while others might require moderate to high light.
Please, do not underestimate the importance of this information. You need to find out more about the corals you are going to buy. If you have Bird’s Nest Corals type that came from deeper water, too much light may actually bleach the coral. Coral is not dead until the entire coral is ‘bleached’.
Nonetheless, in general, the Bird’s Nest Corals need moderate to high amounts of light due to their reliance on zooxanthellae for food. The lighting types recommended are T5’s or Metal Halides. The Metal Halides should be able to be placed in the middle regions of the tank. T5 would have to be closer to the top of the tank in order to produce good growth and coloration results. Modest light can also be a cause of color fade.
Water Movement
When it comes to water flow, the Bird’s Nest Corals prefers moderate turbid water flow. Higher water flow is tolerable by the species if their branches are thicker. If the branches are thinner, there is a chance that a higher water flow will make the species unable to adapt to the tank.
If hair algae are beginning to grow on the corals, then you should make the water flow higher. Larger frags may also need higher water flow to keep healthy.
The Bird’s Nest Corals must also have stable water parameters to survive. Newer aquarium enthusiasts may have trouble with this species while experienced aquarium enthusiasts should have no problem as long as they follow the proper care guide.
Optimal Water Parameters
Water quality should always be within the limits of what is considered appropriate for any reef tank.
The tanks should also be regulated between 74° and 83° F (23 – 28 C). Salinity should also be between 1.023 and 1.025 in order to maintain a healthy tank.
How often you do water changes is up to you but they should be done routinely because this species is very susceptible to changes in their environment.
The tank needs to be clean. If the tank is dirty, the species will be vulnerable to diseases caused by a low-quality tank. Good water flow can also keep cyanobacteria and algae from overwhelming the coral.
If you prefer to clean your tank less, you can do a 20% water change once a month. You can also do a 10% water change twice a week or a 5% water change weekly.
The water parameters should be stable when it comes to the species. Nitrate levels also must remain low. In addition, your calcium and alkanity levels should be maintained. It is also extremely important to keep the phosphate level at 0 as corals generally cannot tolerate phosphates.
Exact Parameters:
Calcium: 400 to 450 ppm
Alkalinity: 8 to 12 dKh, 10 is recommended
Phosphates: close to 0
Magnesium: 1200 – 1350
Strontium: 8 – 10
API REEF MASTER TEST KIT – link to check the price on Amazon
Fragging / Propagation
In nature, the Bird’s Nest Corals can breed by sexual and asexual means.
Note: Some aquarists believe that it is possible to identify males and females by the size. Personally, I do not think so.
- Sexual reproduction involves sex cells or fertilization of released eggs in the water column. These corals become sexually mature at 2 to 3 years old. It is really hard to see them spawning because it also depends on the moon cycle. Fertilized eggs produce planula larvae that settle on the sea-floor and grow into a new the Bird’s Nest Coral by excreting calcium carbonate.
- Asexual reproduction requires only one parent. It can happen when the colony is dying and polyps separate themselves to survive and form their own colonies. To some point, aquarists adopted this method to propagate the Bird’s Nest Corals in aquariums.
Fragging is extremely easy compared to many other types of coral. You can simply break off a piece but it is better to make a clean cut. You should then glue the piece to a frag plug using either underwater putty or 2-part epoxy.
When you cut the piece off, you will experience some slime. This slime should not come in contact with other corals. Also, be sure to glue the piece on its side rather than straight up in order to encourage faster growth.
Things that you might need depending on your method:
Coral Propagation Fragging Kit Set (link to Amazon) |
Potential Problems Associated with the Birds’ Nest Corals
For the most part, an S. Hystrix coral that has been adjusted to your tank should do well. They are very disease resistant. The biggest disease cause for the coral is a dirty tank.
Incorrect water flow: Water flow that is too low may also lead to corals not growing and thriving as they should. Not having enough water flow can also lead to hair algae build-up. Water flow that is too high can also be harmful and make your corals unable to get used to the tank.
The Bird’s Nest Coral species also develop differently when exposed to different types of water flow. It is very interesting to know that these corals have a structure memory. They start growing to a particular shape to optimize the effect of water movements around them. This can turn into a problem in new aquariums because their form will not be properly suited for the new flow patterns. As a result, in the absence of proper nutrition, the Birds’ Nest Corals can start decaying from the inside.
Bleaching: If your coral is bleaching, it is best to first check your water parameters to see if any of your levels are off.
Bleaching can be also caused by too much light but it can also be caused by temperature changes, low salinity, and/or a lack of nutrients. It is possible to save your coral by removing the dead parts and making sure that your water parameters, light, and flow are at the correct ranges.
Corals that are unable to adapt to an aquarium tank may also bleach. Adding coral to a tank too early is one of the biggest hazards of owning the Bird’s Nest Coral.
It is worth mentioning, that you also might need feeding amino acids to the corals.
Placements: The Bird’s Nest Corals do not like to grow downward.
Compatibility of the Birds’ Nest Corals
The species happens to be a mild-mannered species. They get along with corals within their genus. However, they will be aggressive to corals outside of their genus. You should be sure to put the corals away from other corals. The corals can also co-exist with well-fed fish and certain species of crabs may inhabit the coral. The crabs also use the coral as a mating ground.
Birds’ Nest Corals and Tankmates
A certain kind of crab, Hapalocarcinus marsupialis, can live in symbiosis with the S. Hystrix species. The crab will also change the growth of the species. The female crab will use the branches to form a cage which is her permanent home and mating grounds. The coral also does well with well-fed fish that can drop food particles for the coral to catch.
The Bird’s Nest Corals do well with well-fed fish, crabs, snails or shrimp.
Buying Birds’ Nest Corals
The species can be brittle but no worries! If you buy the coral and it breaks during transit, you can just glue the pieces to frag plugs in order to create new separate colonies. You can buy the coral in pet stores.
You can also buy them online at stores like Tidal Sources and Vivid Aquariums. The lowest price that I have seen for the coral is $29.99. On the high end, the coral tends to be 90 dollars or more.
In Conclusion
The corals may not be the best fit for new aquarists or aquarists that don’t enjoy having to test their parameters often.
On the other hand, the coral is very beautiful and it is incredibly easy to create new colonies. Once the coral has adjusted, you can expect the corals to act much hardier than when first inserted into the tank.
The coral is also an awesome choice to place into a tank with fish because the fish will indirectly feed the coral through uneaten food particles.
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