Starflower Coral

About

Starflower Coral (Astreopora macrostoma) is a submassive stony coral found across the Indo-West Pacific, growing on shallow reef flats and slopes typically between about 5 and 15 meters depth. Its colonies tend to be heavy and irregular rather than cleanly domed, often with a bumpy upper surface and occasional short rootlet-like projections underneath. What sets it apart from other Astreopora species is the size and spacing of its corallites. They are noticeably large, widely separated, and oriented in different directions rather than neatly aligned, giving the colony a loose, almost haphazard texture. Coloration ranges from yellow-brown to a genuine blue that can shift toward purple depending on lighting and camera settings, so identifying it from photos alone can be tricky. In the aquarium, this coral asks for serious commitment. It needs intense lighting and vigorous water movement to stay healthy, and like most Astreopora it is not particularly forgiving of lapses in water quality. That places it firmly in the advanced category, best suited to established reef systems with dialed-in parameters and experienced keepers who already have a handle on demanding SPS care. It is reef safe and poses no threat to neighbors, but its own needs are the real challenge here.