Stylocoeniella

Stylocoeniella, sometimes called Thorn coral, is a rare and unusual SPS genus that most reefers encounter as an unexpected hitchhiker on live rock rather than a deliberate purchase. It grows in a low, encrusting form with tiny, thorn-like corallites that give the colony a distinctive prickly texture. Maintain calcium at 400–440 ppm, alkalinity at 7.5–9 dKH, and temperature between 25–27°C. Despite being uncommon, Stylocoeniella are surprisingly hardy and undemanding for an SPS coral.

Place Stylocoeniella in the mid sections of your tank with moderate light (PAR 100–250) and moderate flow. They are adaptable to a range of lighting conditions and do not require the intense PAR demanded by Acropora or other reef crest species. The encrusting growth form means they spread slowly across rockwork, adding a subtle, textured layer. Colours are typically muted — greens, browns, and tans — but under blue actinic lighting some specimens show pleasant fluorescence.

Stylecoeniella grow slowly and are not commonly fragged or traded, though pieces can be separated with bone cutters if desired. Their rarity means they are more of a curiosity than a target purchase for most Australian reefers. If you discover one growing on your live rock, consider yourself lucky — they are a sign of good water quality and stable conditions. Stylocoeniella are found throughout the Indo-Pacific including the GBR, and their hardy, peaceful nature makes them compatible with virtually any reef tank inhabitants.