Anthelia (waving hand)

Care at a glance

Anthelia consists of polyps growing directly upwards from a thin base, each with eight long, feathered tentacles that stay permanently spread. In flow the whole field waves at once, which explains the nickname 'waving hand'.

It is easy under moderate light and moderate flow and grows fast, which is immediately its pitfall: it spreads across the rock and overgrows neighbours. Place it on a loose rock or an isolated island, and you can keep it in check.

Related species

• Devils hand leatherLobophytum sp.
• Maze brain coralPlatygyra sp.
• CyphastreaCyphastrea sp.
• Pagoda cup coralTurbinaria peltata
• Pavona (cactus coral)Pavona cactus
• Yellow scroll coralTurbinaria reniformis