{"product_id":"star-spike-coral-asterospicularia-laurae","title":"Star Spike Coral Asterospicularia Laurae","description":"\u003ch2\u003eStar Spike Coral Asterospicularia Laurae\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003ch3\u003eCoral Overview\u003c\/h3\u003e \u003cp\u003eStar Spike Coral, Asterospicularia laurae, is an uncommon soft coral with bright, star-like polyps, thick upright growth, and a flowing appearance when fully extended. In our experience, this is an easy to keep soft coral that adds both texture and motion to the reef aquarium. When happy, it shows a lot of movement in the water and develops a full, lively look that stands out from more common soft corals.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe common name Star Spike Coral comes from the tiny star-shaped spicules associated with this coral group. Those small structural elements are part of what gave Asterospicularia its scientific name, making the common name a natural and descriptive fit.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis coral tends to grow into a thick mat that can look almost like a carpet of broccoli as it develops. It often grows to roughly 2 to 3 inches tall before spreading outward and carpeting the surrounding rockwork. Given enough time and space, this coral can develop into a broad, attractive patch over the surrounding rockwork, so it is best placed where that growth form has room to develop.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch3\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h3\u003e \u003cp\u003eStar Spike Coral is generally best kept in a stable reef aquarium with moderate lighting and moderate, indirect flow. Enough water movement should reach the colony to keep the polyps gently moving and the surface free of debris, but overly direct flow can limit extension and make the coral look less natural.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eLike many soft corals, this species tends to respond well to consistency. Stable salinity, temperature, and nutrients are usually more important than pushing aggressive light or flow. Give the colony room to expand, especially if you want to allow its thick, spreading growth form to develop naturally over time.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWe used the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/ndaquaculture.ca\/collections\/reef-charge\/products\/hydroshock-3-part-complete-system\"\u003eHydroShock 3 Part Complete System\u003c\/a\u003e to grow this coral. It includes calcium, alkalinity, magnesium, and trace elements in the ratios that corals consume them.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch3\u003eFeeding \u0026amp; Nutrition\u003c\/h3\u003e \u003cp\u003eStar Spike Coral receives much of its energy through photosynthesis, but it may also benefit from a stable, well-fed reef system with good dissolved and suspended nutrition. In most aquariums, broad system health is more important than trying to target feed this coral heavily.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFor reefkeepers focused on overall reef nutrition and microbial support, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/ndaquaculture.ca\/collections\/planktura\/products\/palustris-live-bacteria-bacto-fuel\"\u003ePalustris Live Bacteria Bacto Fuel\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/ndaquaculture.ca\/collections\/planktura\/products\/rhodomonas-live-phytoplankton\"\u003eRhodomonas Live Phytoplankton\u003c\/a\u003e, and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/ndaquaculture.ca\/collections\/planktura\/products\/isochrysis-live-phytoplankton\"\u003eIsochrysis Live Phytoplankton\u003c\/a\u003e can be used as part of a broader reef nutrition approach. These are best viewed as supportive tools within a balanced system rather than quick fixes.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch3\u003eKnown Sensitivities\u003c\/h3\u003e \u003cp\u003eStar Spike Coral can react to transport, acclimation stress, and sudden changes in water chemistry by closing up for a period after arrival or after being moved. That response is fairly typical for soft corals and does not always indicate a long-term problem.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIt may also respond poorly to unstable salinity, temperature swings, debris collecting on the colony, or strong direct flow aimed at the tissue. While this is an easier soft coral in our experience, it still does best in a stable environment where it has time to settle in and expand at its own pace.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch3\u003eShipping \u0026amp; Arrival Guarantee\u003c\/h3\u003e \u003cp\u003eWe pack corals carefully to help them arrive in strong condition and transition as smoothly as possible into their new system. You can review our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/ndaquaculture.ca\/pages\/shipping\"\u003eShipping\u003c\/a\u003e information and our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/ndaquaculture.ca\/pages\/arrive-alive-guarantee\"\u003eArrive Alive Guarantee\u003c\/a\u003e for full details.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAfter arrival, gentle acclimation, stable parameters, and a little patience will usually give this coral the best chance to settle in and begin extending normally.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"New Dawn Aquaculture","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":36569411551387,"sku":"","price":44.99,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0058\/6242\/4647\/files\/Asterospicularia_NDA.jpg?v=1774098026","url":"https:\/\/ndaquaculture.ca\/products\/star-spike-coral-asterospicularia-laurae","provider":"New Dawn Aquaculture","version":"1.0","type":"link"}