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Galaxy Coral
Galaxea fascicularis

Galaxea fascicularis
Photo: Exotic Tropicals

Scientific name: Galaxea fascicularis

Distribution: Commonly imported from Indonesia but is found in many areas, including Australia, the Red Sea, Africa, the Mediterranean, and the West Atlantic.

Description: This coral is usually ball or dome shaped in captivity. Shapes that include spires, plates, encrustations, and branches are sometimes found. Galaxea fascicularis can be green, grey, pink or brown, but always with contrasting colored tips. This coral has clear to translucent sweeper tentacles, most often with white tips. The tentacles will be out during the day.

Background: Galaxea fascicularis was first described by Linnaeus in 1767. The Family Oculinidae of which Galaxea fascicularis belongs was first erected by Gray in 1847. The Genus Galaxea is credited to Oken in 1815.

Aquarium Care: This is an aggressive coral which will easily damage its neighbors with its stinging sweeper tentacles. The sweeper tentacles are long and deliver a strong sting. Care must be taken in regards to its placement in the tank and the water flow around it as the sweeper tentacles will stretch in strong currents. This coral could do great harm in a small or crowded tank.

Care must be taken in the handling of this coral as it has a fragile skeleton which can easily be broken.

Filter Feeding/Invert food should be offered as well as bits of shrimp, fish, etc.

Propagation has occurred in aquariums by fragmentation.

Lighting: Medium to High

Water flow: Low to Medium

Quick Ref Chart
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Difficulty of Care: This coral will do well in an aquarium once it is established if you have a healthy specimen. It can be delicate when first introduced because of collection and transportation damage. It is prone to "brown jelly" infections, necrosis, and recession. Be cautious of commensal animals and sponges on the coral as they are commonly found with both in the wild.

Availability: Most online retailers sell the Galaxy Coral. Prices range from $25.00 to $48.00.

by Elizabeth M. Lukan, August 9, 2005

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