About Larger Star Coral
Encrusting LPS with star-shaped corallites that fluoresce vividly under actinics. Tolerant of variable lighting, but watch the placement — it deploys sweeper tentacles at night and will sting neighbors.
Favites abdita, also known as the larger star coral, is a species of stony coral in the family Merulinidae. It is native to the Indo-Pacific region and its range extends from East Africa and the Red Sea through the Indian Ocean to the Western Pacific Ocean. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated its conservation status as being "near-threatened".
Notes from the editors
What it looks like. Encrusting LPS forming dome-shaped colonies with hexagonal corallites. Color morphs include green, brown, and rare bright neon greens or oranges. Fluoresces strongly under actinic lighting.
In your tank. Aggressive at night — extends long sweeper tentacles that will sting any coral within reach (often 4–6 inches). Watch placement carefully. Otherwise hardy and undemanding among LPS corals.
Placement and care. Low-to-moderate light, moderate flow. Tolerant of variable parameters compared to SPS but does best with stability. Target feeding meaty foods is appreciated but not required.
Sourcing and feeding. Captive-propagated frags widely available ($20–60). Less popular than chalices because the color morphs are typically subtler, but a good, hardy LPS for intermediate reefers.
Care info is a starting point, not a guarantee. Individual specimens, water chemistry, and tankmate dynamics vary. Verify against multiple sources and adjust to what you observe. See our terms & disclaimers.
Related corals
Sources & attribution
- Taxonomy and accepted name from the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS AphiaID 207449).
- Description content adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Photo: Bernard DUPONT from FRANCE · CC BY-SA 2.0 (via iNaturalist or Wikimedia Commons).