Smooth cauliflower coral

About

Stylophora (Stylophora pistillata) is one of the more familiar small-polyp stony corals in the reef hobby, and for good reason. It grows into a distinctive branching colony where the branch tips are blunt and rounded rather than pointed, giving the whole structure a somewhat stubby, cauliflower-like appearance. As colonies mature they can become quite thick and almost submassive in form. Colors run from cream and pink through to blue and green, and it is worth knowing that the blue morphs often photograph as pink, which causes no end of confusion when buying frags online. In the wild, this coral is found across a broad sweep of the Indo-Pacific, typically in shallow reef zones that receive heavy wave energy and strong water movement. That natural habitat tells you a lot about what it wants in a tank. High light and vigorous flow are not optional extras but genuine requirements. It is generally rated as an intermediate coral rather than a beginner species, mostly because meeting those flow and lighting demands consistently takes a reasonably dialed-in system. Reefers who have their parameters stable and their flow sorted will find it a rewarding and relatively straightforward SPS to grow out.