Jack O Lantern Leptoseris Coral

You will receive a frag similar in shape and size to the photo. Frags are typically around ¾"–1" unless otherwise noted.

About Leptoseris

Leptoseris, commonly called Leptos, are awesome corals if you’re looking to add bright color and interesting growth to your reef without needing a ton of light.

The Jack O’ Lantern Lepto is especially popular for its intense orange coloration and contrasting fluorescent highlights. As it settles in and grows, it can encrust across the surrounding rockwork and eventually create an impressive splash of color in the tank.

Leptos are stony corals, but they’re generally pretty manageable once established. Give them stable water parameters, appropriate lighting, and good indirect flow, and they can make a great addition to an established reef.

Where They Come From

Leptoseris are found throughout tropical Indo-Pacific reef environments.

In the wild, they’re often found in deeper areas, shaded reef slopes, ledges, and other locations where they receive less intense light than many other stony corals.

Their natural preference for lower-light areas makes Leptos a great option for spots in your aquascape where some higher-light corals might not be as happy.

Water Parameters

Like most stony corals, Leptos appreciate stability. You don’t need to constantly chase perfect numbers, but keeping your parameters consistent will go a long way toward maintaining healthy growth and coloration.

A good range to shoot for is:

• Calcium: 400–450 ppm

• Alkalinity: 8–9.5 dKH

• Magnesium: 1250–1350 ppm

• Nitrate: 2–10 ppm

• Phosphate: Below 0.10 ppm

• Temperature: 75–80°F

• Salinity: 1.024–1.026

Stable parameters are more important than trying to hit one exact number.

Lighting

Leptos generally prefer low to moderate lighting, making them a great choice for the middle or lower areas of many reef tanks.

A good starting point is around 50–100 PAR.

If you’re introducing a new Lepto to your tank, start it in lower light and give it some time to adjust. You can always slowly move it into a brighter location if needed.

Watch the coral itself. Healthy coloration and continued growth are usually better indicators than chasing an exact PAR number.

Water Flow

Leptos generally do best with low to moderate, indirect flow.

You want enough water movement to keep detritus from settling on the coral and to provide consistent nutrient exchange, but you don’t want to blast it with a strong direct current.

If debris is constantly collecting on the coral, it may need a little more flow. If the tissue appears irritated or stressed, try moving it somewhere with gentler movement.

Need Help?

Every reef tank is different, and finding the perfect spot for a new coral sometimes takes a little experimenting.

If you’re unsure about lighting, flow, placement, water parameters, or whether a Jack O’ Lantern Lepto will work in your tank, ask us. That’s what we’re here for.

The team at Seven Seas Aquatics is always happy to help you find the right coral and give it the best possible start in your reef.