Bird’s Nest Coral Care Guide (Seriatopora)
Bird’s Nest coral (Seriatopora hystrix) is a delicate, fast-growing SPS with thin, needle-tipped branches that weave into an intricate nest — hence the name. Popular pink, green, and neon varieties make it a favorite first branching SPS because it’s hardier and faster-growing than many acropora. Its branches are brittle, so it rewards careful handling, good light, and strong flow. This guide covers lighting, flow, placement, the stable SPS water chemistry it needs, feeding, pests, and acclimation.
Care Level: A Great First Branching SPS
Bird’s Nest is among the easier and faster-growing branching SPS. The step up from LPS/softies is the SPS trio: more light, more flow, and stable water chemistry. Its thin branches are also fragile, so handle it gently.
Quick-Reference Care Parameters
| Coral type | SPS (Small Polyp Stony) |
| Care level | Beginner–Intermediate (easier SPS) |
| Lighting | Moderate–High · PAR 100–250 (start ~100–150) |
| Flow | Moderate–High, random |
| Placement | Mid to upper rockwork |
| Temperature | 76–82°F (ideal ~78°F) |
| Salinity | 1.024–1.026 (~35 ppt) |
| Alkalinity | 8–9 dKH (rock-stable is critical) |
| Calcium | 420–450 ppm |
| Magnesium | 1300–1400 ppm |
| Nitrate | 2–10 ppm (low but not zero) |
| Phosphate | 0.02–0.08 ppm |
| Feeding | Optional · fine foods / amino acids |
| Aggression | Low · give branches room to grow |
Lighting
Bird’s Nest colors up under moderate-to-high light (PAR 100–250). As with all SPS, don’t place a new frag straight under intense light — start around PAR 100–150 and raise it gradually over a couple of weeks. A blue-heavy spectrum brings out the best pink and neon fluorescence. Under good light the tiny polyps extend and give the colony a fuzzy halo.
Water Flow
Provide moderate-to-high, random flow. Strong, turbulent movement keeps the fine branches clean, delivers nutrients, and prevents detritus from settling in the nest — but avoid a single harsh jet that could stress or snap the brittle tips. Alternating, chaotic flow is ideal and is a major driver of SPS health.
Placement
Mount Bird’s Nest on mid-to-upper rockwork in good light and flow. It grows quickly into a rounded nest, so give it open space to branch out. It’s low-sting, so spacing is about room to grow rather than aggression. Secure the frag firmly — brittle branches can break if the frag shifts or falls.
Water Parameters: Keep It Stable
Like all SPS, Bird’s Nest builds a dense skeleton and is sensitive to swings. Stable alkalinity is the most important parameter — hold a steady 8–9 dKH rather than chasing a number. Maintain calcium 420–450 ppm and magnesium 1300–1400 ppm, with rock-steady temperature and salinity. Keep nutrients low but not zero (nitrate 2–10 ppm, phosphate 0.02–0.08 ppm); bottomed-out nutrients cause pale, stressed tips. A consistent dosing or reactor routine keeps alkalinity and calcium steady as the colony grows.
Feeding
Bird’s Nest is mostly photosynthetic and doesn’t require feeding, but fine particulate foods and amino-acid supplements can support color and growth. Light, flow, and stability are the bigger levers — prioritize those.
Pests to Watch For
Branching SPS can attract pests such as “red bugs” and acropora-eating flatworms. A coral dip on arrival greatly reduces the risk (see below). If a colony pales or loses polyp extension for no obvious reason, inspect closely for pests.
Common Problems
- Bleaching / pale tips: often too much light too fast or an alkalinity swing. Acclimate light slowly and keep chemistry steady.
- Rapid tissue loss (RTN/STN): usually a parameter swing, poor flow, or pests. Stabilize, improve flow, and dip.
- Broken branches: the brittle tips snap easily — handle gently and secure the frag well. Broken pieces can be glued down and will grow into new colonies.
How to Acclimate Your New Bird’s Nest
- Temperature match (15–20 min): Float the sealed bag with lights dimmed to equalize temperature.
- Drip acclimate (20–40 min): Open into a clean container and drip tank water in slowly until the volume roughly doubles.
- Coral dip (5–10 min): Use a reef-safe SPS dip per directions to remove pests, then rinse in clean saltwater. Handle by the frag plug, not the branches.
- Placement: Mount on mid rockwork in good flow, but start in lower light (~PAR 100–150) and raise intensity over a couple of weeks.
- Let it settle: Polyps may stay retracted for a few days after shipping. Keep parameters steady and give it time before judging color.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bird’s Nest a good beginner SPS?
Yes — it’s one of the hardier, faster-growing branching SPS, making it a great first step into branching corals.
Why are my Bird’s Nest tips turning pale?
Usually too much light too quickly, an alkalinity swing, or bottomed-out nutrients. Acclimate light slowly, keep alkalinity steady, and maintain a little nutrient in the water.
My branch broke — is that bad?
The tips are brittle and break easily. It’s not harmful — glue the piece down and it will grow into a new colony.
What is WYSIWYG coral?
WYSIWYG means “What You See Is What You Get” — the exact coral pictured is the one shipped to you.
Shop WYSIWYG Bird’s Nest & Care Guides
Browse our live coral for sale for this week’s hand-selected WYSIWYG Bird’s Nest colonies. See more of our library, including the Encrusting Montipora Care Guide, the Hammer & Frogspawn Care Guide, and the Zoanthid Care Guide.
