Basket Coral
Sandalolitha robusta
Also known as: irregular boomerang coral
A free-living, dome-shaped coral that rests unattached on the reef floor.
About
Basket coral (Sandalolitha robusta) is one of those understated reef animals that rewards a closer look. Native to the Western Central Pacific, it turns up across most reef habitats from the shallows down to around 40 meters, making its living as a free-living colony that simply rests on the substrate rather than cementing itself to rock. The colony grows into a large, circular to oval dome, solid and heavy in construction, with no axial groove running down the center, which helps distinguish it from similar free-living corals. Coloration tends toward pale or dark browns and greens, sometimes mottled, and certain individuals show purple margins around their corallites with white centers. Like most large-polyp stony corals, it keeps its tentacles tucked away during the day and only extends them after the lights go out to feed. In the aquarium, Sandalolitha robusta is considered a manageable choice for those newer to keeping large-polyp stony corals. It does well under moderate lighting and appreciates gentle, low-intensity flow rather than a direct blast. Because it is free-living, placement on a sandy or rubble bottom suits it better than propping it against rockwork.
Similar species
Other coral you might consider
Good tank mates
Species that tend to coexist peacefully with Basket Coral
From the same region
Share the same natural habitat. Great for a biotope-themed tank
Frequently asked questions
- What water parameters does the Basket Coral need?
- The Basket Coral does best with a temperature of 72–82°F, a pH of 8–8.4.
- What does the Basket Coral eat?
- The Basket Coral is a filter feeder. It eats tiny particles suspended in the water and usually needs target feeding in a home tank.
- Is the Basket Coral reef safe?
- The Basket Coral is generally considered reef safe.