Pistillate Coral

Scientific Name: Stylophora pistillata
Species: Stony Corals (Pocilloporidae)
Other names: Branching Corals, Cluster Coral, Smooth Cauliflower Coral, Hood Coral, Butternut Stylophora Coral.

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Description

Also known as Branching Corals, Cluster Coral, Smooth Cauliflower Coral, Hood Coral and Butternut Stylophora Coral.

Found on coral and rocky reefs in shallow waters often exposed to strong wave action.
Colonies are usually short and stocky with forked blunt ended branches.
Colour varies from cream, pink and blue.
They feed on plankton.
Length - 20cm
Depth - 0-10m
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)

Spotted

The Pistillate Coral is found in or near the Indo-Pacific region(s) and has been photographed 3 times by users @fishx6 @Kalab

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