Antler Coral
Pectinia alcicornis
Also known as: Antler Lettuce Coral, Carnation Coral, Hexacoral, Maze Coral, Pectinia Coral, Spiny Cup Chalice Coral
- Antler Lettuce Coral
- Carnation Coral
- Hexacoral
- Maze Coral
- Pectinia Coral
- Spiny Cup Chalice Coral
Overview
Found in colonies, over surge zones of coral and rocky reefs.
Widespread Western-Central 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.
How to identify
Habitat & where to find it
- Range · Western Central Pacific
- Country only · 2
Found in colonies, over surge zones of coral and rocky reefs.
Adult photos 2
Discussion
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Deep dive
Taxonomy
- familyPectiniidae
- genusPectinia
- speciesPectinia alcicornis (Saville Kent, 1871)
SourcesWoRMSIUCN Red List