Tear-lobed Coral

Scientific Name: Cynarina lacrymalis
Species: Stony Corals (Mussidae)
Other names: Doughnut Coral, Cat's Eye Coral, Tooth Coral, Button Coral, Teary Eye Coral, Meat Coral.

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Description

Also known as Doughnut Coral, Cat's Eye Coral, Tooth Coral, Button Coral, Teary Eye Coral and Meat Coral.

Found on protected reefs and deep sandy areas.
Corals are oval or circular.
Tentacles are only extended at night, during the day the mantle is inflated with water making the toothed primary septo-costae clearly visible.
Varies in colour.
They feed on plankton.
Length - 8cm
Depth - 20-30m
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.

Spotted

The Tear-lobed Coral is found in or near the Indo-Pacific region(s) and has been photographed 4 times by users @fishx6 @post253

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