Wrinkle Coral
Coscinaraea monile
A low-profile reef builder with finely textured, wrinkled surfaces across its domes.
About
Wrinkle coral (Coscinaraea monile) is a stony coral from the Indo-West Pacific, found across a broad range of reef environments from shallow water down to around 50 metres. Colonies grow in encrusting sheets or rounded dome forms, with individual corallites that are either clearly separated or arranged into short irregular valleys. Look closely and you'll notice the septa are neatly arranged and finely serrated, which gives the surface a smooth, almost polished texture despite the common name suggesting otherwise. Coloration tends toward grey or tan, though brown and mottled variations show up regularly. Not a flashy coral, but one with a quiet, natural reef aesthetic that works well in mixed displays. In the aquarium, Wrinkle coral is considered an intermediate-level species. It appreciates solid light and moderate water movement, conditions that broadly reflect the varied reef zones it occupies in the wild. Reef safe and non-aggressive, it won't cause problems for neighboring corals given reasonable spacing. If you're building out a naturalistic SPS or mixed reef and want something that reads as a background piece rather than a centerpiece, this is a dependable option worth considering.
Similar species
Other coral you might consider
Good tank mates
Species that tend to coexist peacefully with Wrinkle Coral
From the same region
Share the same natural habitat. Great for a biotope-themed tank
Frequently asked questions
- Is the Wrinkle Coral aggressive?
- The Wrinkle Coral is generally peaceful and suits a community tank with similarly calm tankmates.
- Is the Wrinkle Coral reef safe?
- The Wrinkle Coral is generally considered reef safe.