Disc Coral

About

Disc coral (Turbinaria stellulata) is an encrusting species from the Western Central Pacific, found across a broad range of the Indo-Pacific from shallow reef flats down to around 40 meters. In the wild it often develops into noticeable dome-shaped colonies on upper reef slopes, which sets it apart from many of its Turbinaria relatives. It also tends to prefer clearer water rather than the turbid, silty conditions that some other family members tolerate well. The individual corallites are small. Roughly 2.5 millimeters across. With thick, conical walls and a darker coenosteum filling the spaces between them, giving the colony a textured, almost stippled surface. Coloration is most commonly brown or green, though a wider range of shades does turn up. In the aquarium, Turbinaria stellulata is a reasonable choice for intermediate reefers looking to add a hardy LPS or encrusting coral that does not demand intense lighting. It adapts well to lower light zones in a reef tank, making it a practical option for mid-to-lower placement in the aquascape. Moderate, steady flow suits it better than strong, direct blasts. Growth is gradual but steady, and with consistent water quality this coral can develop into a genuinely impressive colony over the long term.