{"product_id":"john-deere-leptastrea-leptastrea-sp","title":"John Deere Leptastrea - Leptastrea sp.","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJohn Deere Leptastrea (Leptastrea sp.)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe John Deere Leptastrea, Leptastrea sp., is a colourful encrusting large polyp stony coral, admired for its bold contrast, textured growth pattern and bright polyp detail. Leptastrea corals are popular for adding colour to reef rockwork, especially in lower-to-medium light zones where they can slowly encrust across stable surfaces. This coral is generally hardy once settled, making it a strong choice for a mature reef aquarium with stable parameters, moderate flow and careful light acclimation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eJohn Deere Leptastrea, Leptastrea Coral, Encrusting Leptastrea.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name (Latin):\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLeptastrea sp.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCoral Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLPS Coral\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Form:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEncrusting stony coral growth form, spreading across rockwork and hard surfaces with small fleshy polyps and a textured skeletal structure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMarine\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin \/ Natural Habitat:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLeptastrea corals are found in Indo-Pacific reef habitats, where they grow over hard reef surfaces, reef slopes and stable rockwork. In aquariums, they are best placed on secure rockwork where they have room to encrust naturally without being crowded by faster-growing or more aggressive corals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Parameters:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTemperature: 24–26°C\u003cbr\u003epH Range: 8.1–8.4\u003cbr\u003eSalinity: SG 1.024–1.026\u003cbr\u003eAlkalinity: 7–10 dKH\u003cbr\u003eCalcium: 400–450 ppm\u003cbr\u003eMagnesium: 1250–1350 ppm\u003cbr\u003eNitrate: Low but detectable\u003cbr\u003ePhosphate: Low but detectable\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLighting:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eMedium\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eJohn Deere Leptastrea generally does best under low-to-medium or moderate reef lighting. Avoid placing it directly under intense lighting without gradual acclimation, as sudden increases in light can cause fading, bleaching or tissue stress. Lower-to-middle placement is usually safest when first introduced.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlow:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eMedium\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eModerate, indirect flow is ideal. Flow should be strong enough to keep the coral surface clean and prevent detritus settling between the polyps, but not so harsh that the tissue becomes irritated or unable to extend properly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlacement:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBest placed on stable rockwork, lower-to-middle reef zones or slightly shaded areas with moderate flow. Allow space for the coral to encrust across nearby surfaces. Avoid placing directly beside aggressive LPS corals or fast-growing corals that may sting, shade or overgrow it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament \/ Aggression:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003ePeaceful to semi-aggressive\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eJohn Deere Leptastrea is not usually one of the most aggressive LPS corals, but it can compete for space as it encrusts. Give it room from neighbouring corals to reduce irritation, overgrowth and tissue damage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003ePhotosynthetic, but benefits from feeding\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis coral receives much of its energy from lighting through its symbiotic zooxanthellae, but it can benefit from occasional small-particle feeding. Suitable foods include powdered coral foods, amino acids, fine zooplankton and reef roids-style foods. Feed lightly and avoid allowing excess food to settle on the coral.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eModerate\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGrowth is usually steady in stable reef systems with consistent alkalinity, calcium, magnesium, lighting and flow. Once settled, Leptastrea can encrust well across suitable rockwork and hard surfaces.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecial Requirements or Care Notes:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBest kept in a mature, stable reef aquarium with consistent water chemistry and moderate nutrient availability. Avoid unstable alkalinity, harsh direct flow, sudden increases in lighting and detritus build-up around the coral. Dip and acclimate carefully before adding to the aquarium, and monitor for tissue recession, fading, pest irritation or shading from nearby corals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSuitable for:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBeginner to Intermediate reefkeepers\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvailability:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRegularly available in the coral trade \/ Availability can vary depending on colour intensity, pattern, supplier naming and season.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAll images are a visual representation of the coral you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns, colours and growth form will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Aqua Group","offers":[{"title":"Frag","offer_id":46764608094381,"sku":"AG-102401","price":20.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Colony","offer_id":46764608127149,"sku":"AG-102400","price":120.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0543\/0391\/6205\/files\/JohnDeereLeptastrea-Leptastreasp..jpg?v=1783424299","url":"https:\/\/aquagroup.co.uk\/products\/john-deere-leptastrea-leptastrea-sp","provider":"Aqua Group","version":"1.0","type":"link"}