The Breeder’s Registry© Information contained in this report is taken from submitted observations from aquarist unless noted otherwise (see comments). Information may be reproduced providing the Breeder’s Registry is cited.

Breeder ID: CAUCUR-121494-TOMROB-001

Date received: 12/14/94

Identification: Caulastrea curvata (Wijsman-Best, 1972 )

Geographic origin: Indo-Pacific  

Taxonomy: (after I.C.Z.N.)

Kingdom Animalia

Phylum Cnidaria

Class Anthozoa Subclass Zoantharia

Order Scleractinia Suborder Faviina

Family Faviidae (Gregory, 1900)

Genus Caulastrea (Dana, 1846)

Species curvata (Wijsman-Best, 1972)

Description: Caulastrea is the only faviid with phaceloid corallites (tubular and have even height). Earliest fossil records date to the Jurassic period. C. curvata have sprawling irregular corallites averaging 8 mm in diameter. Corallites at the edge of the colony are characteristically
curved. 

Duration of colony (yr): 1.7

Size of colony (mm): 152

Broodstock notes: Accidently fragment the first time. Then purposely fragmented into a smaller specimen.

Physical differences: Coloration differs among fragments; Green tissue with white stripes or brown tissue with white stripes.

Placement: Organisms 2.5 – 30 cm below surface

Diet: Photosynthetic symbiont algae (zooxanthellae). Occaisionally fed frozen shrimp and Artemia

Size: fragments 25 – 51 mm

Reproductive behavior: Tissue swells at individual polyp and divides into two

fragmentation / mounting method: no information provided 

Tank size (liter): 540

Sides of tank covered? No

Lighting & photo period: 2 – 175 watt MH (10 – 12 hours); 1 – 250 watt MH ( 8 – 10 hours); 1 – 25 watt incandescent “lunar” light (12 – 13 hours, opposite MH photoperiods) Bulbs are 17 – 20 cm from surface. Changed at 9 – 12 month intervals

Filtration: Liverock, 48″ LifeReef® venturii skimmer, 2 Magnum® 350 cannister filters

Additives and dosages: Reef Crystals® ASW, 37 – 75 liters changed every 2 months. Combisan®, Kent Iodine-strontium, molybdenum®; 10% SrCl2, 11 ml / 2 weeks; Ca(OH)2, calcium level maintained at 410 – 430 ppm

Water temperature (F): 75

Specific gravity: 1.019 – .021

pH: 8.2

Nitrate: 1 – 3 ppm

Comments: no information regarding re-attachment provided.

Original description: Described by Wijsman-Best in 1972 from specimens collected at New Caledonia. The genus Caulastrea was first described by Dana in 1846 from specimens of C. furcata collected in Fiji.

Word origin: The genus Caulastrea is from the Greek roots caul, -o, =us, meaning a stem or stalk; and astr, -o, =um, meaning a star. The genus curvata is from the Latin root curv, -i, which means curve.

Suggested reading:

Delbeek, J. Charles, & Sprung, Julian, The Reef Aquarium, 1994, Ricordia Publishing, Coconut
Grove, FL 33133, USA, ISBN 1-883693-12-8

Veron, J. E. N., Corals of Australia and the Indo-Pacific, 1993, University of Hawaii Press, ISBN
0-8248-1504-1

About this report:  Information contained in this report is taken from submitted observations. Taxonomy, Description, Original description, Word origin and Suggested reading are provided by member(s) of The Breeder’s Registry staff. Information is presented under the belief that it is correct. If you have information contrary to that presented you are encouraged to contact the Breeder’s Registry. Permission is granted for “one-time” personal use. Reproduction as distributed or accessible media is prohibited without prior written permission. All rights reserved. 1994