Starflower Coral

About

Starflower Coral (Astreopora suggesta) is a small-polyp stony coral from the Indo-Pacific, found on shallow reef slopes and flats typically between five and fifteen meters down. Colonies grow into rounded, dome-like mounds and are identifiable by their small corallites, each roughly one millimeter across, perched on raised bumps scattered across the colony surface. The overall texture is somewhat rough and pebbly, thanks to short, blunt projections on the tissue between corallites. Coloration is generally a plain brown with the individual corallites appearing lighter, so this isn't a coral you'd keep for flamboyance. What makes it interesting is its growth form and the fine structural detail up close. In the aquarium, Astreopora as a genus has a reputation for being unforgiving. This species is best suited to reef tanks run by experienced keepers who can maintain consistently high light levels and brisk, well-distributed flow. Conditions that reflect its life on exposed shallow reefs. It does not tolerate the kind of parameter swings that hardier beginner corals can shake off. If your system is mature and stable and you're looking to work with a less commonly kept SPS genus, it's a genuinely rewarding challenge.