Galaxea Coral Care Guide
Galaxea fascicularis is a large-polyp stony coral with white-tipped tubular polyps and very long sweeper tentacles that make it aggressive toward neighbouring corals.
Overview
Galaxea fascicularis is a large-polyp stony (LPS) coral. Individual polyps sit in circular, tube-shaped corallites less than 1 cm wide, with tentacle tips usually tipped with white that give a crystalline or starry appearance. Small colonies form low domes, becoming irregular, hummocky or columnar with age and potentially reaching 5 m across. Colour ranges from green and grey to reddish brown.
Taxonomy
- Family: Oculinidae
- Genus: Galaxea
- Scientific name: Galaxea fascicularis
- Common names: galaxy coral, star coral, crystal coral
Habitat
The species is found in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and throughout the Indo-Pacific. It occurs on coral reef slopes with weak wave action, at depths of about 2-15 m.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 150 L
- Temperature: 24-27 °C (75-81 °F)
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- Salinity: SG 1.024-1.026
- Carbonate hardness: 8-12 dKH
- Lighting: moderate
- Water flow: moderate
Diet
The coral obtains nutrition through symbiotic zooxanthellae and by actively capturing organic particles, sediment, zooplankton, bacteria and dissolved organic matter.
Reef compatibility
Galaxea fascicularis produces modified sweeper tentacles that extend up to 30 cm to defend territory against neighbouring organisms. Because of this reach it should be given its own island of rock or placed at the end of the aquascape, well away from other corals.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Near Threatened.