Palauastrea ramosa is 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 a Montipora digitata and a thick branched bird nest coral, Palauastrea is actually related to Seriatopora, Pocillopora and Stylophora.
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 that Palauastrea has already been imported mistakenly as a Seriatopora or M. 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 whether Palauastrea is 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 a known colorful form, like so many other corals with an understated look ,such as Anacropora and Stylocoeniella, the diehard coral collectors will always find something to love about them. [AIMS]
