Green Cynarina
The Green Cynarina is a beautiful and unusual LPS coral that makes a standout feature piece in the lower areas of a reef aquarium. Also known as Button Coral or Cat’s Eye Coral, Cynarina is a solitary coral, meaning each specimen is made up of one large, fleshy polyp rather than a colony of multiple heads.
This green variety has a striking, translucent appearance that looks fantastic against the sandbed or lower rockwork. When happy, the coral can inflate with water, giving it a soft, bubbled, almost glassy look. This unique shape and texture make it a great choice for reef keepers wanting something a little different from the usual Euphyllia, Lobophyllia, or Acan corals.
Green Cynarina are best suited to stable, established reef aquariums with gentle flow, lower lighting, and enough space for the coral to expand without rubbing against rockwork or neighbouring corals.
Why Choose a Green Cynarina?
- Unique single-polyp LPS coral
- Beautiful green colour with translucent, fleshy tissue
- Excellent feature coral for the sandbed or lower aquascape
- Peaceful compared with many other LPS corals
- Inflates and changes appearance throughout the day
- Great option for LPS-focused reef tanks and mixed reefs
Care Requirements
Green Cynarina prefer low to moderate lighting, with a PAR range of around 50–150 being suitable in most reef aquariums. Avoid placing them under intense lighting too quickly, as strong light can cause the coral to retract, bleach, or become stressed.
Water flow should be gentle and indirect. This coral does not like strong, direct current blasting its tissue. Enough flow to keep the surface clean is ideal, but the polyp should not be constantly pushed around or folded over by the current.
Cynarina are photosynthetic, but they also benefit from regular feeding. Offer small meaty foods such as mysis shrimp, finely chopped seafood, or suitable LPS coral pellets around once a week. Feeding can help support tissue expansion, colour, and long-term health.
Recommended Water Parameters
- Calcium: 400–450 ppm
- Alkalinity: 8–12 dKH
- Magnesium: 1250–1350 ppm
- Nitrate: low but detectable
- Phosphate: low but stable
Placement & Compatibility
The best placement for a Green Cynarina is on the sandbed or on a low, flat rock where its fleshy tissue will not rub against sharp edges. Because the coral can inflate significantly, allow plenty of space around it so it does not touch nearby corals or hardscape.
Cynarina are generally more peaceful than many aggressive LPS corals, but they still need their own room to expand. Avoid placing them too close to corals with long sweeper tentacles, such as Euphyllia, Galaxea, or some Favia species.
Best For
- Established reef aquariums
- LPS coral gardens
- Mixed reef tanks
- Sandbed placement
- Lower-flow areas of the aquarium
- Reef keepers wanting a unique showpiece coral
The Green Cynarina is a fantastic coral for adding shape, colour, and interest to the lower areas of a reef tank. With gentle flow, appropriate lighting, stable water parameters, and enough room to expand, it can become a beautiful and distinctive centrepiece in your marine aquarium.
