Macroalgae Farms
Jack-o-Lantern Leptoseris
Key Features:
Estimated delivery between September 29 and October 01.
About this item
Leptoseris (0.5-1" Frag)
The Leptoseris (Leptoseris sp.) — commonly called "Lepto" throughout the reef community — is one of the most dramatically colored, uniquely-textured, and coveted plating collector's corals available anywhere in the entire saltwater hobby. An encrusting plate-growing coral with fine polyp texture across the plate surface, Leptoseris displays an extraordinary range of natural color expressions including brilliant blue, vibrant green, electric orange, deep yellow, red, purple, and premium multi-color rainbow morphs — many with distinctive spotted "meteor shower" patterns that make each specimen a genuinely unique addition to any collector's coral display. When fully colored under quality reef lighting, a Leptoseris plate delivers one of the most photogenic and immediately impactful visual displays available in the entire plating coral category — dramatic saturated colors across an expanding encrusting structure that grows into substantial plate specimens over months to years.
What makes the Leptoseris such a coveted collector's coral is the combination of extraordinary natural color intensity, unique encrusting plate growth pattern, and the moderate-care requirements that make premium visual impact accessible to reefers with established stable reef systems. Leptoseris are deep-water species naturally adapted to low-to-moderate light environments, giving them a unique combination of intense fluorescent coloration and low-PAR compatibility that separates them from most other collector-tier corals — an ideal choice for reefers with mixed-light reef displays who want dramatic centerpiece color impact without high-intensity SPS lighting requirements. At the 0.5 to 1 inch frag size, buyers acquire an accessible entry-tier specimen that will grow into a substantial encrusting plate colony over 6 to 12+ months, delivering long-term display value and satisfying collector's tier growth results.
Available Options
- One healthy Leptoseris frag (Leptoseris sp.) — hand-selected from current inventory, approximately 0.5 to 1 inch on frag plug or disc
- Encrusting plate-growth coral with fine polyp texture across plate surface
- Assorted color — may include blue, green, orange, yellow, red, purple, or multi-color rainbow expressions
- Moderate-care collector's plating coral with premium color potential
General stock Leptoseris frag — specific color and morph is determined at packing time from current inventory. For specific named color morphs (Rainbow, Blue, Orange, Meteor Shower, JF Meteor Shower, Superman, and other premium Leptoseris expressions), see our WYSIWYG Leptoseris listings.
Care Information
| Lighting | LOW to Moderate (PAR 50-150) — sensitive to high light, gradual acclimation essential |
| Water Flow | Moderate indirect — avoid direct high-flow blast |
| Placement | Mid to lower rockwork — allow space for encrusting plate growth outward |
| Care Level | Moderate — established stable systems, gradual light acclimation required |
| Temperament | Peaceful — minor sweeper tentacles possible, allow 3-4" from other corals |
| Feeding | Photosynthetic + occasional target feeding with fine coral foods enhances color |
Special Considerations
Encrusting plate growth pattern: Leptoseris are plating/encrusting corals that grow outward from the original frag base, gradually expanding into thin plates that cover rockwork surfaces over months to years. Place the frag on a stable rock surface with adequate open surrounding area for horizontal plate expansion — the coral will encrust across the rockwork rather than growing vertically. Provide 3-4 inches of buffer space around the placement location to allow for natural encrusting growth without competing with neighboring corals. Growth rate is slow-to-moderate — expect visible plate expansion over 3-6 months and substantial plate coverage over 12+ months.
Tank environment: Provide an established mature reef aquarium with stable water parameters including consistent calcium (400-450 ppm), alkalinity (8-11 dKH), and magnesium (1250-1350 ppm) levels for reliable skeletal growth. Standard reef temperature (72-78°F) and salinity (1.023-1.026) with stable parameters over weeks support healthy Leptoseris development. Moderate indirect water flow works best — avoid direct powerhead blast which can cause tissue damage on the delicate plate surface.
Compatibility: Leptoseris are generally peaceful and reef-safe with most neighbors, though some specimens may extend minor sweeper tentacles at night — allow approximately 3 to 4 inches of buffer space from neighboring corals to prevent contact damage. Compatible with most LPS, soft corals, mushrooms, zoanthids, and other plating/encrusting corals in mixed reef displays. Maintain distance from aggressive Euphyllia species (Torch, Hammer, Frogspawn) with extending long sweeper tentacles.
Feeding for premium coloration: While Leptoseris are photosynthetic through zooxanthellae, occasional target feeding with fine-particle coral foods (Reef Roids, Coral Frenzy, Polyplab Reef-Roids, or similar prepared coral feeds) 1 to 2 times per week accelerates growth, deepens coloration, and enhances the fluorescent intensity that makes premium Leptoseris morphs so distinctive. Feed by broadcasting fine-particle foods over the coral during evening hours, or by target-applying with a coral feeding tube. Quality reef lighting with strong blue and actinic spectrum coverage brings out the full fluorescent intensity of the coral's natural coloration.
🔍 Aquarium Insights
The Leptoseris is one of the most dramatically colored and uniquely-shaped plating collector's corals available to reef keepers:
- Extraordinary color variation across the genus — brilliant blues, greens, oranges, yellows, reds, purples, and premium multi-color rainbow morphs including distinctive "meteor shower" spotted patterns
- Encrusting plate-growth pattern that expands into substantial plate colonies over months — unique architectural addition to any mixed reef display
- A moderate-care collector's plating coral with unique low-light adaptation and premium color potential — one of the best entry-tier collector's corals for reefers with mixed-light reef systems seeking dramatic centerpiece color impact without high-intensity SPS lighting requirements
Learn More
For detailed species information, compatibility, and care tips, visit our Species Library.
Due to natural variation, the Leptoseris frag you receive will be hand-selected from current inventory (approximately 0.5 to 1 inch on frag plug or disc) and may vary in exact size, plate shape, and color expression — including blue, green, orange, yellow, red, purple, or multi-color rainbow morphs with variable pattern intensity. Specific color, morph, and exact size within the frag range cannot be guaranteed and are determined at packing time. For guaranteed specific color specimens including premium named morphs (Rainbow, Blue, Meteor Shower, JF Meteor Shower, Superman), see our WYSIWYG Leptoseris listings.
Photographs are representative examples of the range of colors available in this species. Individual frags may vary significantly in color intensity, pattern, and morph type.
⚠️ Leptoseris are LIGHT-SENSITIVE deep-water species — gradual light acclimation is essential. Start new frags in low-light placement for 2-4 weeks before gradual movement to preferred location. Direct high-PAR reef lighting without acclimation will cause bleaching or tissue loss. Encrusting plate growth requires 3-4" open surrounding space for natural expansion. As with all live animals, proper acclimation and a suitable, established environment are essential for best results.
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