Murrayensis Coral
Porites murrayensis
Also known as: Branching Coral, Finger Coral, Pore Coral, Small Polyp Stony Coral
- Branching Coral
- Finger Coral
- Pore Coral
- Small Polyp Stony Coral
Overview
Found in colonies, in clear shallow waters, on reef flats, of coral and rocky reefs. Colours vary from cream and brown in deeper waters, and bright colours in 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.
How to identify
Habitat & where to find it
- Range · Indo-Pacific
- Country only · 3
Found in colonies, in clear shallow waters, on reef flats, of coral and rocky reefs.
Adult photos 3
Discussion
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Deep dive
Taxonomy
- kingdomAnimalia
- phylumCnidaria
- classHexacorallia
- orderScleractinia
- familyPoritidae
- genusPorites
- speciesPorites murrayensis Vaughan, 1918
SourcesWoRMSCorals of the World
More in the family
Stony Corals (Poritidae)




