Starflower Coral

About

Starflower Coral (Astreopora listeri) is one of those understated reef builders that rewards a closer look. Colonies grow in hemispherical to encrusting forms, and what sets them apart visually is the surface texture. Each corallite opening is rounded and fringed with feathery spinules that give the whole colony a distinctly bristled, almost spiky appearance. Coloration tends toward the muted end of the spectrum: cream, grey, and brown are the typical tones, so this isn't a coral you keep for bold color. Its appeal is more architectural than chromatic. In the wild it ranges across the Indo-Pacific in tropical latitudes, generally found between about 5 and 20 meters depth, and it has a notable tolerance for turbid, shallow-water reef environments where conditions can be variable and light scattering is common. In the aquarium, however, that field tolerance doesn't translate into easy keeping. Astreopora corals as a group have a reputation for being demanding, and this species is no exception. It belongs in the care of experienced reef keepers who can reliably deliver intense lighting and vigorous water movement. It's the kind of coral that experienced reefers seek out precisely because it's a challenge to keep well.