Octopus Coral

About

Octopus Coral (Galaxea paucisepta) is a lesser-known relative of the more commonly kept galaxy coral, forming small encrusting or flattened colonies rather than the large dome-shaped structures some Galaxea species develop. The individual corallites are tiny. Only about 2.5 to 3 millimetres across. And sit well spaced apart across a bumpy, blistery coenosteum that gives the colony its distinctive texture. Coloration tends toward muted grey or greenish-brown tones, which won't turn heads the way brighter corals do, but there's an understated appeal to the detailed skeletal architecture up close. In the wild, this species lives across a broad stretch of the Indo-West Pacific, from Japan down through Indonesia and out to Micronesia, typically on lower reef slopes where water movement is gentler and it's sheltered from heavy wave action. It's found anywhere from shallow water down to around 40 metres. In the aquarium, it suits reefers with some experience under their belt. Moderate lighting and flow match its natural habitat well. Like other Galaxea, it's worth giving it some space from neighboring corals, as the genus is known for aggression through extended sweeper tentacles, though specific data on this species' reach is limited.