Description

Galaxea Coral (Galaxea astreata)

Bring dazzling movement and colour into your reef tank with the Galaxea Coral (Galaxea astreata). Known for its flowing sweeper tentacles, shimmering polyps, and hardy nature, this coral is a stunning choice for aquarists looking to add both beauty and personality to their marine aquarium. With its vibrant hues and captivating polyp extension, Galaxea is equally admired by beginner and advanced reef keepers.

🌊 Appearance & Growth
Galaxea Coral is a large polyp stony (LPS) coral with a branching skeletal structure covered in dense polyps. Each polyp displays brilliant colouration ranging from green, purple, and brown bases with neon tips that glow under actinic or blue lighting. When fully extended, its long sweeper tentacles wave gracefully in the current, creating eye-catching motion in the aquarium.

This coral is a fast grower under the right conditions and can form impressive colonies. Its hard skeleton makes it relatively durable, while its soft, fleshy polyps add striking visual contrast.

✨ Key Benefits at a Glance:

• ✔️ Brilliant Colours – Glowing neon tips and vibrant polyp extension under reef lighting.

• ✔️ Hardy & Adaptable – Tolerant of a range of water conditions, suitable for many reef setups.

• ✔️ Fast Growth – Establishes colonies quickly with proper care.

• ✔️ Captivating Movement – Sweeper tentacles create dynamic flow and energy in the aquarium.

• ✔️ Beginner-Friendly – A resilient coral choice for new reef enthusiasts.

🐠 Placement & Compatibility
Galaxea is semi-aggressive due to its long sweeper tentacles, which can extend several centimetres beyond the colony. These tentacles are equipped with stinging cells (nematocysts) and may damage neighbouring corals if placed too close. For this reason, it’s best to allow plenty of space around the colony.

It does well when placed on the substrate or lower rockwork, where its tentacles have room to expand without disturbing other corals. Moderate water flow will encourage healthy extension without causing excessive whipping of its tentacles.

💡 Lighting Requirements

• Moderate to strong lighting (T5, LED, or metal halide) enhances the neon fluorescence of Galaxea polyps.

• Under blue/actinic lighting, the coral’s colours intensify, creating a dramatic glow in the aquarium.

🌊 Water Parameters:
To thrive, maintain stable reef conditions:

• Temperature: 24–27°C

• Salinity: 1.023–1.025 SG

• pH: 8.1–8.4

• Alkalinity: 8–12 dKH

• Calcium: 400–450 ppm

• Magnesium: 1250–1350 ppm

🍤 Feeding Recommendations
Although Galaxea corals rely heavily on their symbiotic zooxanthellae for energy, they benefit greatly from supplemental feeding. Target feeding with fine particulate foods such as rotifers, marine snow, phytoplankton, and small meaty foods (like brine shrimp nauplii or reef blends) helps boost growth and colour. Feed 2–3 times per week for optimal health.

🐟 Tank Mates
Galaxea Corals are generally compatible with peaceful fish and invertebrates. Avoid placing them too close to other LPS or SPS corals due to their sweeper tentacles. They coexist well with reef-safe fish species and invertebrates such as cleaner shrimp, snails, and crabs.

✨ Why Add Galaxea to Your Reef?
Few corals combine vivid colour, striking polyp extension, and hardiness quite like Galaxea astreata. Its fast growth makes it rewarding for aquarists, while its glowing tentacles bring constant motion and visual appeal to any reef display. With the right placement and care, this coral becomes a true showpiece in the aquarium.

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👉 Add the Galaxea Coral (Galaxea astreata) to your reef tank today and enjoy a hardy, colourful, and dynamic coral that will bring energy and beauty to your underwater world.

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Disclaimer: Coral photos are of our own stock. Colours may appear different in other aquariums due to variations in lighting conditions. We do not edit or enhance our photos, but please note that colours may also be influenced by your screen settings, such as brightness and contrast.