Lobed Cactus Coral

About

Lobed Cactus Coral (Acanthastrea pachysepta) is a large-polyp stony coral found across a broad sweep of the Indo-West Pacific, from the Maldives through Indonesia and Melanesia, ranging as far north as Taiwan and as far south as Australia. In the wild it occupies reef environments from the shallows down to around 30 meters, which speaks to its flexibility. The colony form is massive and encrusting, with thick, well-separated septa giving each polyp a distinctly fleshy, almost sculptural look. That's where the "lobed" part of the common name earns its keep. Colors vary considerably depending on the source, running from earthy greens and browns to more bright hues, and the contrast between the oral disc and the surrounding tissue often makes individual polyps pop. In the aquarium, this coral asks for relatively little. Moderate lighting and gentle, low-flow conditions suit it well, and it is generally considered a solid choice for reef keepers who are still building their experience. Give it enough space on the rockwork so neighboring corals can't reach it, feed it occasionally with small meaty foods when the polyps are extended, and it tends to reward that basic attention with steady, reliable growth.