WHATSTHATFISH
Corals & anemones

Hibiscus Coral

Pectinia lactuca

Also known as: Common Lettuce Coral, Hexacoral, Lettuce Coral, Maze Coral

ENEndangeredIUCN Red List, 2024
Adult
@blogie · Maxima Beach Resort, Island Garden City of Samal, Philippines · June 20111 / 1
01

Overview

Found in large plate like colonies, over shallow lower reef slopes, of coral and rocky reefs in most environments. Very common.

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.

02

How to identify

Body shape
lettuce

Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.

03

Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Indo-Pacific
  • Country only · 1
LIVES IN

Found in large plate like colonies, over shallow lower reef slopes, of coral and rocky reefs in most environments.

04

Adult photos 1

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Discussion

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    ALL STAGES
    FOR THE MARINE-BIOLOGY CURIOUS

    Deep dive

    Taxonomy

    1. familyPectiniidae
    2. genusPectinia
    3. speciesPectinia lactuca (Pallas, 1766)

    SourcesWoRMSSeaLifeBase