Description

Also known as Branching Coral.

Found on lower and upper reef channels and slopes, over protected areas of coral and rocky reefs. Very common.
They feed on plankton.
Length - 4cm
Depth - 5-25m
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. Ref: https://www.sealifebase.ca/summary/Acropora-valenciennesi.html