The Cynarina Coral (Cynarina lacrymalis) – “Cat’s Eye Coral”

One of my all-time favourite corals is the Cynarina coral, also known as the Cat’s Eye coral. This is a hardy, disease-resistant, and visually stunning LPS coral that stands out in almost any reef aquarium due to its large fleshy polyp and vibrant colour variations.

It is one of those corals that combines both hardiness and beauty, making it a great addition for reef keepers who want something unique and eye-catching.

OUR CYNARINA WAS WROTE ABOUT IN REEFBUILDERS BLOG SEE IT HERE:
https://reefbuilders.com/2023/02/20/the-mother-of-all-cynarina-lacrymalis-found-on-the-great-barrier-reef/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

In the wild, Cynarina corals are typically found on:

• Reef slopes
• Drop-offs
• Areas with moderate to turbulent water movement

However, despite being found in areas with flow in nature, they do not tolerate direct flow in aquariums.

Cynarina coral prefers:

• Low to moderate indirect flow
• Gentle, random water movement
• No direct blast from wavemakers

You want to see the polyp gently expand and contract without being pushed over or constantly blasted from one direction.

For best results:

• Keep under low to moderate lighting
• Avoid strong direct light exposure
• Slight shading is often beneficial
• Position with the polyp facing upward

In my experience, placing Cynarina corals on the sand bed or aquarium floor works best.

Even though they are hardy, their main sensitivity comes from chemical warfare with other corals rather than environmental instability.

One of the most important things to understand about Cynarina corals is their sensitivity to nearby corals.

They should be kept:

• Well away from other LPS and SPS corals
• Especially away from soft corals and mushrooms
• In their own dedicated “open space” zone when possible

Even seemingly harmless corals like mushrooms can release chemicals that negatively affect Cynarina over time.

For best results, I personally prefer keeping them in small groups of their own species, where they truly shine visually and remain stable long term.

While Cynarina corals can survive without regular feeding, they do benefit from occasional supplementation.

Suitable foods include:

• Meaty seafood (finely chopped)
• LPS coral pellets
• Products such as Vitalis LPS foods

Feeding every so often can improve:

• Polyp inflation
• Colour intensity
• Growth rate

However, they are not heavily dependent feeders compared to other LPS corals.

The Cynarina coral (Cynarina lacrymalis) is one of the most rewarding LPS corals in the reef aquarium hobby. It combines hardiness with incredible visual impact and is relatively easy to maintain when placed correctly.

The key to long-term success is:

• Gentle indirect flow
• Low to moderate lighting
• Plenty of spacing from other corals
• Stable tank conditions

When cared for properly, this coral becomes a true showpiece in any reef tank.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/cynarina-coral-care-guide.123456/

https://www.advancedaquarist.com/2013/2/corals

https://reefbuilders.com/tag/cynarina/

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/content/category/reef-tank-articles/lps-corals.html