For anyone who keeps a marine aquarium, particularly those with a fondness for corals, the name "LPS Pitbull" might spark some interest. This isn't about a furry friend, but rather a fascinating type of coral that many hobbyists enjoy having in their tanks. It’s a coral that, in some ways, shows a robust nature, a bit like its namesake, making it a rather appealing choice for different kinds of reef setups.

You might be looking to add something new to your mixed reef, or perhaps you are just starting out with larger polyp stony corals. This particular coral, the LPS Pitbull, seems to offer a good blend of visual appeal and what appears to be a certain hardiness. Many people, for instance, find that LPS corals can be a little more forgiving when it comes to water conditions compared to some other coral types.

This guide will walk you through what makes the LPS Pitbull a neat addition to your underwater world. We will talk about its needs, how to keep it happy, and what to watch out for. It’s pretty important to get the right setup for any coral, and this one is no different, so we will cover the basics and some more detailed care tips, too.

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Table of Contents

• What is an LPS Pitbull Coral?
• Why Consider an LPS Pitbull for Your Tank?
• Ideal Tank Conditions for LPS Pitbull
  • Water Quality and Parameters
  • Lighting Needs and Programs
  • Water Movement
• Placing Your LPS Pitbull in the Aquarium
• Feeding Your LPS Pitbull
• Common Challenges and Simple Solutions
• Integrating LPS Pitbull with Other Corals
• Propagating Your LPS Pitbull
• Monitoring Health and Growth
• Frequently Asked Questions About LPS Corals
• Final Thoughts on the LPS Pitbull

What is an LPS Pitbull Coral?

When we talk about an "LPS Pitbull," we are referring to a specific kind of Large Polyp Stony coral. These corals are known for their fleshy polyps and a hard, stony skeleton underneath. The "Pitbull" part often suggests a coral that is quite hardy, maybe with a strong growth habit or a particularly striking appearance that makes it stand out in a reef tank. It's a common name, you know, that hobbyists sometimes give to corals based on how they look or how tough they seem to be.

Many LPS corals are popular because they offer a lot of movement and color in an aquarium. They often have sweeping tentacles that capture food, and their large polyps can inflate quite a bit, giving them a very full look. The LPS Pitbull, in particular, seems to be a type that people find relatively easy to keep, making it a good choice for those who might be moving up from soft corals or just looking for something reliable.

These corals come from various parts of the ocean, generally found in shallower waters where they can get enough light and food. They grow by adding to their stony skeleton over time, and they can form impressive colonies. So, if you are looking for a coral that adds a bit of bulk and vibrant life to your tank, this one could be a really nice option.

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Why Consider an LPS Pitbull for Your Tank?

Choosing the right corals for your aquarium is a big part of the fun of reef keeping. The LPS Pitbull, as a type of LPS coral, offers several good reasons to think about adding it. For one thing, many people say that LPS corals can be a little less demanding than some of the Small Polyp Stony (SPS) corals. This means they might be a bit more forgiving if your water parameters are not absolutely perfect all the time, which is a rather comforting thought for many hobbyists.

Another reason is their visual appeal. LPS corals, including the Pitbull varieties, often have large, flowing polyps that create a lot of movement and texture in the tank. They come in many colors, so you can often find one that fits the look you are going for. This movement really brings the tank to life, and it's something that many people enjoy watching.

Also, it seems that some LPS corals can adapt to a wider range of lighting conditions compared to others. While they do need good light, they might not need the extremely high PAR levels that some SPS corals demand. This can make setting up your lighting a bit simpler, which is a nice benefit for many tank owners. It's a pretty good balance, in some respects, between beauty and ease of care.

Ideal Tank Conditions for LPS Pitbull

To keep your LPS Pitbull coral thriving, providing the right environment is very important. This involves paying attention to water quality, lighting, and water movement. Getting these elements right will help your coral grow well and show off its best colors. It's almost like setting up a comfortable home for them, you know?

Water Quality and Parameters

Maintaining stable water parameters is quite key for any coral, and the LPS Pitbull is no different. They tend to do well in water that is a little "dirtier" than what some SPS corals might prefer, meaning they can tolerate slightly higher nutrient levels. However, this doesn't mean neglecting water quality; it just means they might not need ultra-low nutrient levels.

For phosphates, for example, a level around 0.15ppm has been mentioned as something that LPS corals can handle, and sometimes even prefer. If your phosphate levels were too low, like some people have experienced, bringing them up a little could actually benefit your LPS. You want to keep your alkalinity, calcium, and magnesium levels stable as well. These are the building blocks for their stony skeletons, so they are pretty important.

Typical ranges you want to aim for include: salinity around 1.025-1.026 specific gravity, alkalinity between 7-9 dKH, calcium around 400-450 ppm, and magnesium between 1300-1400 ppm. Consistent temperature, usually around 76-78°F (24-25°C), is also quite necessary. Regular water changes help keep these parameters steady and remove unwanted substances, which is always a good practice, anyway.

Lighting Needs and Programs

Lighting is a very big part of coral health, as corals use light for photosynthesis. The LPS Pitbull, like other LPS corals, can handle a good range of light intensity. Some say LPS corals can manage PAR values up to 500, while soft corals might adjust to PAR over 200 with enough time to get used to it. This suggests a pretty wide window for lighting, which is helpful.

Many different lighting systems can work well. For instance, some people use ATI Hybrid lights or the Sirius X6, looking for an ideal program for their animals and for the eye. Others might run lights like two XR15 Blue lights over a 3ft tank, sometimes using an "LPS soft program" at about 65% intensity. Some have even switched from an "ABplus program" because the "LPS soft program" seemed better for their corals.

If you have lights like Noopsyche K7 V3s, placed about 9 inches above the water, these can be quite effective for a mixed reef tank that has SPS, LPS, and mushrooms. It's about finding the right amount of light for each coral. SPS corals usually need pretty high PAR, and zoas need lower PAR, but LPS corals tend to fall somewhere in the middle, often enjoying moderate light, so you have to find that sweet spot.

Water Movement

Proper water movement is another important factor for LPS corals. They generally prefer moderate, indirect flow. Too much direct flow can irritate their fleshy polyps, causing them to retract and not extend fully. On the other hand, too little flow can allow detritus to settle on them, which is not good for their health.

The right flow helps bring food particles to the coral and carries away waste products. It also helps prevent algae from settling on the coral's surface. You want to see a gentle swaying of the polyps, not a constant blasting. Using powerheads that create broad, diffused flow patterns can be quite effective for achieving this balance, so that's something to think about.

You can adjust the placement and strength of your flow pumps to get the right movement. Observing your coral's polyps is the best way to tell if the flow is suitable. If they are fully extended and gently swaying, you are probably doing it right. If they look stressed or are constantly pulled back, you might need to adjust the flow, which is a pretty simple fix.

Placing Your LPS Pitbull in the Aquarium

Where you put your LPS Pitbull in the tank matters a lot for its long-term health and growth. Because they like moderate light and moderate flow, a good spot is often in the middle to lower sections of your reef aquarium. This placement helps ensure they get enough light without being blasted by intense light that might be too much for them.

When placing them, consider their sweeping tentacles. Many LPS corals can extend their tentacles quite far, especially at night, to capture food. These tentacles can sting other corals if they get too close. So, give your LPS Pitbull enough personal space to grow and extend without bothering its neighbors. This is a pretty important consideration for a mixed reef, actually.

Also, think about stability. Make sure the coral is securely placed on your rockwork so it won't fall or get knocked over by fish or strong water currents. You can use coral glue or epoxy to attach it firmly if needed. A stable base means less stress for the coral, which is always a good thing, you know.

Feeding Your LPS Pitbull

While LPS corals get a good portion of their energy from light through photosynthesis, they also benefit greatly from direct feeding. This is especially true for the LPS Pitbull, which has large polyps capable of capturing food particles from the water. Feeding them can really help with their growth and overall vitality, making them look even more plump and happy.

You can offer various foods like mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, finely chopped seafood, or specialized coral foods designed for LPS corals. Target feeding, where you gently squirt food directly onto the coral's polyps, is a very effective method. This ensures the coral gets the food it needs and reduces the amount of excess food in the water, which helps keep water quality good.

Feeding a few times a week, perhaps every two or three days, is usually sufficient. Observe how your coral responds to feeding; if its polyps extend and grab the food, you know it's eating. This direct feeding can really boost their growth, so it’s a pretty rewarding part of caring for them, too.

Common Challenges and Simple Solutions

Even with careful planning, reef keeping can present a few challenges. For LPS Pitbull corals, some common issues include tissue recession, bleaching, or lack of polyp extension. These are often signs that something in the environment needs a little adjustment. It's nothing to be overly worried about, usually, as there are often simple fixes.

If you see tissue recession, where the coral's flesh pulls away from its skeleton, it could be due to poor water quality, too much or too little flow, or even aggression from other tank inhabitants. Checking your water parameters is the first step. Then, you might adjust flow or consider if any fish or other corals are bothering it. Sometimes, just moving the coral to a slightly different spot can make a big difference.

Bleaching, where the coral loses its color, is usually a sign of too much light or a sudden change in temperature. If your lights are too strong, try raising them or reducing their intensity. Gradual changes are always better for corals. A lack of polyp extension can also point to light or flow issues, or it might mean the coral needs more food. Addressing these areas one by one can often solve the problem, which is pretty straightforward, you know.

Integrating LPS Pitbull with Other Corals

The LPS Pitbull can be a wonderful addition to a mixed reef tank, which might include SPS corals, softies, zoas, and mushrooms. The key to success here is careful placement and understanding the needs of each coral type. As mentioned, LPS corals have sweeping tentacles, so giving them enough room is very important to prevent them from stinging other corals.

When you have a mixed reef, like one with SPS, LPS, and mushrooms, you need to think about the different lighting requirements. SPS corals typically need higher PAR, while zoas and mushrooms prefer lower PAR. The LPS Pitbull, as an LPS, usually likes moderate light. So, you might place your LPS Pitbull in a spot where it gets a good amount of light but isn't directly under the most intense part of your lighting system.

Some people even use an "LPS soft program" for their mixed reef lighting, which can help accommodate the various needs of different corals. It's about finding a balance that works for everyone in the tank. Observing how all your corals react to their placement and the overall tank conditions will help you make adjustments. It's a bit of an ongoing process, but a rewarding one, that.

Propagating Your LPS Pitbull

Propagating corals, also known as fragging, is a way to grow new coral colonies from existing ones. It's a popular activity among reef keepers and can be a way to share corals with others or to grow out new pieces for your own tank. The LPS Pitbull, being a stony coral, can be propagated, though it requires a bit of care and the right tools.

Typically, you would use a bone cutter or a Dremel tool with a diamond blade to carefully cut a small piece from the main colony. It's important to make a clean cut to minimize stress to the coral. After cutting, the frag (the new piece) can be attached to a frag plug or a small piece of live rock using coral glue or epoxy. This gives it a stable base to grow from.

After fragging, place the new frag in an area with stable water parameters and moderate flow and light. Give it some time to heal and attach. It's a good idea to dip the frag in an antiseptic coral dip beforehand to help prevent infection. This process, when done right, allows you to expand your coral collection and share the beauty of your LPS Pitbull with others, which is pretty neat, in a way.

Monitoring Health and Growth

Keeping a close eye on your LPS Pitbull is one of the best ways to ensure its long-term health. Regular observation can help you spot any issues early, allowing you to address them before they become big problems. Look for signs of good health, such as full polyp extension, vibrant color, and clear tissue. A happy coral is a beautiful coral, after all.

Pay attention to any changes in its appearance. If the polyps are retracted for long periods, or if the color seems to fade, these could be indicators that something is not quite right. Check your water parameters immediately if you notice these signs. Sometimes, even small shifts in alkalinity or calcium can affect corals, so regular testing is quite useful.

You can also track its growth over time. While LPS corals don't grow as quickly as some SPS corals, you should still see some progress. Taking photos periodically can help you compare and see how much it has grown. This helps you understand what conditions it prefers and how well your tank setup is working for it. It's a bit like keeping a journal for your coral, you know, and it's pretty satisfying to see the progress.

Frequently Asked Questions About LPS Corals

Here are some common questions people often have about LPS corals, which can apply to your LPS Pitbull too:

What should a good phosphate level be for a mixed reef with LPS?
For a mixed reef that includes LPS corals, a phosphate level around 0.15ppm can be acceptable, and sometimes even preferred by LPS. While ultra-low nutrients are often sought for SPS, LPS corals can tolerate, and some say thrive, with slightly higher levels. It’s about finding a balance that works for all your tank inhabitants, so that is something to keep in mind.

How much light do LPS corals need?
LPS corals generally prefer moderate light. They can handle a range of PAR values, with some types doing well up to 500 PAR. However, many hobbyists find success with PAR levels in the 100-250 range for most LPS. It's important to introduce new corals to light gradually and observe their response, as different species and even individual corals can have varying preferences, so that's a key point.

Do LPS corals need feeding?
Yes, while LPS corals get energy from light, they also greatly benefit from direct feeding. They are capable of capturing food particles with their large polyps. Offering foods like mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, or specialized coral foods a few times a week can really boost their growth and overall health. It's a pretty good way to ensure they get all the nutrients they need, you know.

Final Thoughts on the LPS Pitbull

The LPS Pitbull, as a type of Large Polyp Stony coral, offers a compelling choice for many reef aquarium enthusiasts. Its apparent hardiness, combined with its striking appearance and active polyps, makes it a truly engaging addition to a marine setup. Getting the right balance of water parameters, appropriate lighting, and gentle water flow will help this coral flourish and show off its best features.

Remember that consistent care and regular observation are your best tools for a thriving reef. Every tank is a little different, so paying attention to how your specific corals respond to their environment is very important. With a bit of patience and consistent effort, your LPS Pitbull can become a real highlight in your underwater world. Learn more about on our site, and link to this page for more coral care tips. We hope this guide helps you with your reef keeping journey, too.

Date of Publication: October 26, 2023

For more general information on reef keeping and coral care, you might find resources like Reef2Reef forums helpful, as they have many discussions on various coral types and tank setups. Reef2Reef is a good place to start, actually.