Red Eye Pectinia Coral
The Red Eye Pectinia Coral is a striking LPS coral with a dramatic, almost alien appearance. Unlike many round or branching LPS corals, Pectinia forms thin plating structures, textured folds, and sharp skeletal ridges that give it a very unique look in a reef aquarium.
This Red Eye variety is known for its deep red body colour and contrasting eye-like polyps scattered across the surface. Under reef lighting, the red tones can look rich and intense, making this coral a standout feature for lower-light areas of a mixed reef or LPS-focused aquarium.
Pectinia is best suited to reef keepers who can provide stable conditions, careful placement, and patience. It is generally slow growing, but its unusual structure and bold colour make it a rewarding coral to keep long term.
Why Choose a Red Eye Pectinia Coral?
- Unique plating LPS coral with dramatic structure
- Deep red colouration with eye-like polyps
- Excellent feature coral for lower-light areas
- Adds texture and contrast to reef aquariums
- Great choice for LPS gardens and mixed reef tanks
- Slow-growing but highly distinctive showpiece coral
Care Requirements
Red Eye Pectinia prefer low to moderate lighting, with a PAR range of around 75–150 being suitable for most reef aquariums. Avoid placing it directly under intense lighting, especially when newly added, as stronger light can cause stress or tissue recession.
Water flow should be low to moderate and indirect. The coral needs enough movement to prevent debris from settling on its textured surface, but not so much that the fleshy tissue is blasted or damaged.
Pectinia are photosynthetic, but they can benefit from occasional feeding. Offer small meaty foods such as mysis shrimp, finely chopped seafood, or suitable LPS coral foods once a week to help support colour, health, and steady growth.
Recommended Water Parameters
- Calcium: 400–450 ppm
- Alkalinity: 8–9 dKH
- Magnesium: 1300–1400 ppm
- Nitrate: low but detectable
- Phosphate: low but stable
Placement & Compatibility
Pectinia can be highly aggressive at night and may extend powerful sweeper tentacles that can sting nearby corals. Give this coral plenty of space from other corals, especially Euphyllia, Favia, Lobophyllia, SPS corals, and soft corals.
Because Pectinia has a delicate plating skeleton with sharp ridges, it should be placed somewhere stable where it will not be knocked over or damaged. The sandbed or a shaded lower rock position is usually ideal, provided it has enough room to grow without touching other corals.
Best For
- Established reef aquariums
- LPS coral gardens
- Mixed reef tanks
- Lower-light areas
- Sandbed or lower rockwork placement
- Reef keepers wanting a unique feature coral
The Red Eye Pectinia Coral is a bold and unusual LPS coral that adds colour, texture, and structure to a reef tank. With lower lighting, indirect flow, stable parameters, and plenty of space from neighbouring corals, it can become a standout showpiece in your marine aquarium.
