Common name: Bowl coral

General information

The Clavate Cup Coral, Halomitra clavator, is a large polyp stony (LPS) coral known for its unique clavate (club-shaped) skeletal structures. It is a solitary coral, often found as a single, large polyp attached to a reef substrate. The polyp extends from a hard, calcareous base and can display a variety of colors, typically ranging from green to brown, with fluorescent tips under certain lighting conditions.

Care

Halomitra clavator requires moderate to high lighting and moderate water flow within the aquarium to thrive. It is important to provide stable water conditions and maintain calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium levels to support its skeletal growth. This coral benefits from supplemental feeding of meaty foods like mysis shrimp and finely chopped seafood.

Symbiosis

While not hosting a wide array of symbiotic relationships like some other corals, the Clavate Cup Coral can provide shelter to small reef organisms and may have commensal relationships with certain microfauna that reside within its structure.

Habitat

This species is typically found on reef slopes and in lagoons, often in areas with strong water movement. It is distributed across the Indo-Pacific region, including the Red Sea, East Africa, and the central Pacific.