Starflower Coral

About

Starflower Coral (Astreopora cucullata) is an uncommon and visually interesting representative of a genus that often gets overlooked next to flashier reef builders. Found across the Indo-Pacific in shallow reef zones, typically between about five and fifteen meters depth, it grows as thick plates or encrusting sheets, occasionally producing short rootlet-like extensions where it anchors to substrate. What sets it apart from other Astreopora species is the character of its corallites. The individual polyp openings tend to be irregular and often elliptical rather than round, and they sit differently depending on the surface they occupy, being sunken on concave areas and more raised on convex ones. Most distinctive are the papillae surrounding each corallite, which have a feathery, almost frilled texture and in some cases extend to partially hood the opening. Coloration is subdued, running from cream to pale brown, so this isn't a coral you'd keep for vivid pigmentation. In the aquarium it demands very high light and strong water movement to thrive, and its needs put it firmly in the advanced category. Best suited to experienced reef keepers with dialed-in systems. It's a rewarding choice for someone interested in colony morphology rather than color.