Anemone Coral

About

Anemone coral (Bernardpora stutchburyi) is a small-polyped stony coral from the shallow reef environments of the Indo-West Pacific. Its growth form ranges from encrusting to submassive, spreading across rock and substrate in smooth, compact sheets. Look closely and you can see why the surface appears so uniform. The calices are small and shallow, with tightly packed septa that leave little visual texture. What does catch the eye is the polyp behavior: unlike many small-polyped stony corals that only open at night, this species routinely extends its short, tapered tentacles during daylight hours, giving the colony a soft, almost fuzzy appearance at times. Coloration is generally understated, pale brown or cream being the norm, though some colonies show faintly blue-tinged mouths that add a subtle detail worth appreciating up close. In the aquarium, Bernardpora stutchburyi is considered an intermediate-level coral, not particularly forgiving of sloppy water quality or inconsistent husbandry. It appreciates strong lighting and moderate water movement, conditions that mirror its natural shallow-reef habitat. Its reef-safe status and relatively compact footprint make it an interesting choice for hobbyists looking to add textural variety to a mature, well-maintained reef system.