A. coahuilense may be confused with Astrophytum myriostigma, as the two looks similar to each other. A. coahuilense possesses a five-ribbed structure, albeit the epidermis is more covered in softer trichomes compared to A. myriostigma. It grows up to a size of 10 cm. The flowers are yellow with a characteristic red throat, although can appear pure red or very rarely pure yellow. In the fruit which is red till olive-green colored and basal opening are up to 200 seeds, similar as in the case of A. capricorne.
A. coahuilense is native to Mexico, specifically the south-western regions of Coahuila and Durango. They inhabit preferentially sunny south and eastslopes on lime formations, rarely grow in north or west position between white grey rock in a loose to thick vegetation, which primarily consists of a drybush community. The soil consists mainly of lime gravel and sand with isolated humus feedthroughs.