Monticulosa Staghorn Coral

Scientific Name: Acropora monticulosa
Species: Stony Corals (Acroporidae)
Other names: Branching Corals, Branching Staghorn Coral, Staghorn Corals, Blue-tipped Staghorn Coral.

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Monticulosa Staghorn Coral

Uploaded by: @fishx6 in May 2008
Photographed at: Mirihi Island Resort - Maldives
Caption: No caption available
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View full size / more information

Monticulosa Staghorn Coral

Uploaded by: @fishx6 in May 2008
Photographed at: Mirihi Island Resort - Maldives
Caption: No caption available
Liked 0 times (like this too)

Description

Also known as Branching Corals, Branching Staghorn Coral, Staghorn Corals and Blue-tipped Staghorn Coral.

Found on coral and rocky reefs, usually in shallow water exposed to strong wave action.
Isolated small colonies are shaped like upturned hands.
Varies in colour.
They feed on plankton.
Length - 3m
Depth - 3-15m
Widespread Indo-Pacific

Stony corals have hard stony skeletons, their polyps have six tentacles or are made up of multiples of six. These are usually nocturnal, however if the sky's are overcast, then many will feed during the day.
Generally the more robust corals life on exposed areas, while the smaller corals live in sheltered lagoons or deeper waters.
Stony corals are reef building corals and embedded in their flesh are thousands of minute single-celled marine plants called zooxanthellae which accounts for their colour.
These corals support a huge diversity of life, their main predator being the crown-of-thorns sea star. (edit)