Description

Also known as Boulder Coral, Massive Coral, Pore Coral.

Found in colonies, over fringing and off-shore reefs. A common species that has a smooth velvety surface. Often form 'micro atolls.' They are host to the Christmas-tree-Worm. Colours vary from brown, cream, yellow, and can be inbright colours, over shallow waters.
They feed on plankton.
Length - 400cm
Depth - 1-20m
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) Ref: http://www.coralsoftheworld.org/species_factsheets/species_factsheet_summary/porites-lutea/