Astrocoeniidae

Stephanocoenia michelinii

The Astrocoeniidae are a small family of stony corals ( Scleractinia ). It is represented by the genera Stylocoeniella and Stephanocoenia. All Astrocoeniidae wear zooxanthellae. They can form large colonies with diameters of more than 50 cm. From Western Australia is reported from colonies whose diameters exceed several meters. They often live in the absence or overhangs of reefs and reef zones colonize all to about 30 m water depth. Representatives of Astrocoeniidae often occur at the distribution boundaries of the reefs. The family is evolutionarily of great interest because the genus Styloconiella probably belongs to the evolutionarily oldest stony corals. There are fossils that can be dated to the Triassic Period ( about 245-210 million years ago). In the Caribbean Stephanocoenia michelinii is endemic. It is frequently associated with red tubeworms. Routes the worms its tentacles from the surface of the coral appears reddish as it exaggerating her " blush ". Therefore, in the English-speaking world it bears the common name " Blushing Star Coral " ( = shame red star coral). For the salt-water aquaria, the entire family is largely meaningless.