Larger Star Coral

About

Larger Star Coral (Favites flexuosa) is a solid, dependable reef coral that forms hemispherical to submassive colonies with a distinctly angular, geometric look. Each corallite sits deep within the skeleton, bordered by well-defined walls, and the septa running down into the cup carry noticeably large teeth. Giving the whole colony a bold, textured appearance up close. Coloration varies quite a bit from specimen to specimen, but most display a pleasing contrast between the walls and the oral discs at the center of each polyp, whether that's greens against browns, cream against gold, or other combinations. In the wild, this species turns up across a broad range of reef habitats as well as rocky foreshores, suggesting it can handle variable conditions reasonably well. That adaptability carries into captivity to some extent, though it still deserves the care of a keeper who understands reef chemistry basics. It falls into the intermediate category partly because, like most Favites, it can extend sweeper tentacles at night to defend its space, so placement with enough room between neighbors matters. Moderate lighting and flow suit it well, and consistent water quality will keep the polyps open and the colors looking their best.