Why is Galaxea Listed as Difficult?

[mudplayerx]

I was bored at work and just started clicking on corals on this site that I have at home to see what it says about them. The Galaxea is listed as a difficult species to raise and this perplexed me.
My galaxea is about 8 inches in diameter and was one of the first corals I obtained 8 months ago. I never feed it and it needs no maintainance. It just sits there under the MH lights and looks awsome.
Why is this coral listed as difficult? Is there something I don't know? Do you think they catagorize it as difficult due to its stinging sweeper tentacles? I'm worried now that my galaxea is not as healthy as it should be now. It looks wonderful but you never know.
Any info would be appreciated.
ps- Its growing so much that I've actually sold three frags with no loss of original size.

 

[speg]

Frag me a piece.. =c)

 

[speg]

Heres a different sites POV on that coral.
Galaxy Coral - Galaxea species
Also known as: Tooth Coral, Crystal Coral, Galaxy Coral, Moon Coral, Star Coral
Color: The Galaxy Coral has a green, green-tan, green-brown color.
Type of hard coral: Large polyp stony coral (LPS).
Diet: Carnivore.
Feeding: It likes to eat Filter Feeding Invert Food, Meaty bits like raw shrimp, Silver Side and Mysis Shrimp.
Behavior: The Galaxea species is generally aggressive toward other tankmates.
Care: Many consider the Galaxea species a medium-maintenance specimen.
Lighting: Has strong lighting needs.Symbiotic algae zooxanthellae are hosted within this organism.
Water flow: The Tooth Coral, Crystal Coral, Galaxy Coral, Moon Coral, Star Coral requires intermediate water flow.
General notes: The Galaxy Coral is a very attractive coral and highly sought after in the hobby. Relatively easy to maintain, it prefers moderate water movement and moderate to high light. A healthy specimen will often 'drop' babies that will eventually attach to rockwork and form it's own colony.
Water parameters: Keep water quality high (SG 1.023 - 1.025, pH 8.1 - 8.4, Temp. 72 - 78° F).
Origin: The Galaxy Coral is commonly collected from Indo-Pacific.

 

[speg]

And yet another sites opinions.
Care Level: Moderate
Light: High
Water Flow: Medium
Placement: All
Tank Conditions: 72-78°F; sg 1.023-1.025; pH 8.1-8.4; dKH 8-12
Color Form: Brown, Gray, Green, Pink
Temperament: Aggressive
Ideal Supplements: Calcium, Strontium, Trace Elements
Origin: South Pacific
Family: Oculinidae
The Galaxea Coral is a large polyp stony (LPS) coral and often referred to as the Tooth, Star, Crystal, Starburst, Brittle, or Galaxy Coral. Its genus name, Galaxea, is derived from the Greek word galaxaios (milky), describing the polyp's milky-white tips. While bright green is the most common, some species can be found in a variety of colors.
It is an aggressive coral in the reef aquarium, and therefore, needs adequate space between itself and other corals. Its polyps can extend up to several inches at night and will sting and cause damage to other species of corals that it can reach. The Tooth Coral requires strong lighting combined with moderate water movement within the aquarium. For continued good health, it will also require the addition of calcium, strontium, and other trace elements to the water.
It requires additional food in the form of micro-plankton or brine shrimp twice a week.

 

[nm reef]

I believe that one reason they tend to be listed as difficult in a reef is due to their aggression...believe me they can be extremely aggressive towards numerous other corals. Great corals to keep...and they can do very well in a reef...but they can inflict some serious damage and that makes them less than ideal in most reefs....which is why they tend to be listed as difficult.

 

[mudplayerx]

One of my anemones got too close to the galaxea once and it was stung a couple of times. Even though the sweeper tentacle barely touched the anemone, the tentacle that it touched got a big scar on it.
I don't feed my galaxea (haven't since I've had it in 8 months) and it is still growing and dropping "babies." I dose phyto for a flowerpot and a red jewel coral... do you think this is adequate for the galaxea as well? Occasional fish flakes fall on it too.
Thanks for the input Speg and NM. If you guys are ever near clarksville, TN feel free to get some frags lol. The baby ones in my tank double in size about every month.
ps- the galaxea stings my gf's hands but doesn't bother me at all....be careful when touching your corals

 

[schadiest1]

my galaxea seems to be fading away. some of the small tentacles (not the sweepers) have died off (I assume). tank is well established, all parameters good. what should I do?

 

[mudplayerx]

Do you have enought lighting in your tank? Galaxea need strong lighting. Also, you need to feed your galaxea about once or twice a week with finely chopped seafood. I didn't feed mine initially, but the more I read, the more I realize that they really like to be spot fed.