Larger Star Coral

About

Larger Star Coral (Favites micropentagonus) is a large polyp stony coral found across the Indo-West Pacific, from the eastern Indian Ocean through to the western Pacific. In the wild it occupies reef environments from the shallows down to around 30 meters, giving it a reasonably broad tolerance for varying light and flow conditions. Like other members of the Favites genus, it forms a distinctive brain-like, encrusting or domed colony made up of closely packed, sharply defined corallites that share common walls between neighboring polyps. The angular, roughly pentagonal shape of those corallites is what sets this species apart from its close relatives, lending the colony a bold, geometric appearance. Coloration tends toward earthy greens and browns, though aquacultured specimens can sometimes show brighter tones under quality reef lighting. In the aquarium, this coral is considered a reasonable choice for intermediate reefers who can maintain stable water quality and consistent moderate flow. As with most aggressive LPS corals, it pays to give it some buffer space from neighbors, since it can extend sweeper tentacles at night to defend its territory. It is reef safe in terms of not irritating fish, but its placement relative to coral neighbors does need some thought.