WHATSTHATFISH
Corals & anemones

Hump Coral

Porites lutea

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

LCLeast ConcernIUCN Red List, 2024
Adult
@fishx6 · Mirihi Island Resort, Maldives · May 20081 / 1
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Overview

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.

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.

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How to identify

Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.

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Habitat & where to find it

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

Found in colonies, over fringing and off-shore reefs.

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Adult photos 1

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Discussion

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    ALL STAGES
    FOR THE MARINE-BIOLOGY CURIOUS

    Deep dive

    Taxonomy

    1. kingdomAnimalia
    2. phylumCnidaria
    3. classHexacorallia
    4. orderScleractinia
    5. familyPoritidae
    6. genusPorites
    7. speciesPorites lutea Milne Edwards & Haime, 1851

    SourcesWoRMSCorals of the World

    07

    More in the family

    Stony Corals (Poritidae)