Palauastrea ramosais an interesting small polyp stony coral which despite having a broad geographic distribution is all but unknown in the aquarium. Looking somewhat like a cross between aMontipora digitataand a thick branched bird nest coral,Palauastreais actually related toSeriatopora,PocilloporaandStylophora.
All pictures of this rare species show a coral with light brown tissue and simple white polyps – with such a nondescript appearance it’s possible thatPalauastreahas already been imported mistakenly as aSeriatoporaorM. digitata. Thankfully, the serious coral farmers at Bali Aquarium have recently come across some broodstock colonies which will be put into culture alongside some other great soft, stony large and small polyp corals.
We are curious to know whetherPalauastreais a shallow water high energy or deep water lower energy sort of SPS, but it is only known to occur in light brown or cream colors. Despite not having aknowncolorful form, like so many other corals with an understated look ,such asAnacroporaandStylocoeniella,the diehard coral collectors will always find something to love about them. [AIMS]