Six-ray Star Coral
Madracis senaria
A deep-water Caribbean encrusting coral with a precise, six-pointed corallite architecture.
About
Six-ray star coral (Madracis senaria) is one of the less commonly encountered Caribbean reef builders, native to the tropical waters of the Caribbean Sea across a broad range of the Western Central Atlantic. In the wild it tends to favor deeper reef environments, which sets it apart from many of the shallow-water corals more familiar to hobbyists. The colony growth form is encrusting, spreading outward across hard substrate rather than building upward. What makes this coral structurally distinctive is its corallite arrangement: each individual polyp cup is circular in outline and clearly separated from its neighbors, and each features exactly six septa that fuse directly with the columella at the center. That precise six-fold symmetry is where the common name comes from. A second cycle of septa is present but barely developed, and the tissue between corallites shows a finely textured, blistered surface. Natural coloration is not well documented in available literature, so color expectations in a captive setting are uncertain. Given its deep-water origins, this species presents some real unknowns for the reef aquarium and is best approached by keepers who already have experience maintaining SPS or encrusting corals. High flow and strong lighting are generally recommended, though matching its natural low-light habitat may warrant some experimentation.
Similar species
Other coral you might consider
Good tank mates
Species that tend to coexist peacefully with Six-ray Star Coral
From the same region
Share the same natural habitat. Great for a biotope-themed tank
Frequently asked questions
- What water parameters does the Six-ray Star Coral need?
- The Six-ray Star Coral does best with a temperature of 72–82°F, a pH of 8–8.4.
- Is the Six-ray Star Coral reef safe?
- The Six-ray Star Coral is generally considered reef safe.