Reeflings

Common name: Smooth Cauliflower Coral

Scientific name: Stelligera stuposa (Ellis & Solander, 1786)
Stony coral Hood coral or Smooth cauliflower coral, pistillate coral (Stylophora pistillata) undersea, Red Sea, Egypt, Sharm El Sheikh, Nabq Baycoral reef with violet hood coral in tropical,underwater
Panoramic view of coral reef with fish seaweeds and corals in the Red Sea Egypt With copyspace for text
Stylophora Pistillata - Hood Coral - Smooth Cauliflower Coral - Brain coral - Acropora coral
+1 more images

General information

The Smooth Cauliflower Coral, Stelligera stuposa, is a species of hard coral that is appreciated for its unique appearance and contribution to reef biodiversity. This coral is characterized by its smooth, dome-shaped colonies that resemble the vegetable cauliflower, hence its common name. The coral polyps extend during the night, giving the colony a fuzzy appearance.

Details

Lighting
50 to 150 PAR
Salinity
S.G. 1.023 to 1.025
Temperature
24 to 27 °C (75 to 81 °F)
Acidity
pH 8.1 to 8.4
Care level
Moderate to easy Requires stable conditions.
Flow
Moderate Mimics natural habitat.
Aggression
Peaceful

Taxonomy

  1. Kingdom
    Animals
    Animalia
  2. Phylum
    Sponges
    Porifera
  3. Class
    Demosponges
    Demospongiae
  4. Order
    Axinellid Sponges
    Axinellida
  5. Family
    Stellar Damsels
    Stelligeridae
  6. Genus
    Staghorn Coral
    Stelligera
  7. Species
    Smooth Cauliflower Coral
    Stelligera stuposa (Ellis & Solander, 1786)
  8. Synonyms
    Dictyocylindrus stuposus (Ellis & Solander, 1786)
    Raspailia stelligera Schmidt, 1862
    Raspailia stuposa (Ellis & Solander, 1786)
    Spongia stuposa Ellis & Solander, 1786
    Stelligera stelligera (Schmidt, 1862)
    Vibulinus stuposus (Ellis & Solander, 1786)

Care

Stelligera stuposa requires moderate to high lighting conditions and moderate water flow within the aquarium to thrive. It is important to maintain stable water parameters, as fluctuations can stress the coral and lead to bleaching or disease. This species benefits from the addition of calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium supplements to support skeletal growth.

Symbiosis

While Stelligera stuposa does not have any well-known symbiotic relationships like those seen in clownfish and anemones, it does contribute to the overall health of the reef ecosystem by providing habitat and shelter for a variety of marine life.

Habitat

This coral species is found in the Indo-Pacific region, typically in shallow reef environments. It prefers areas with strong light and water movement, which are essential for its growth and development.