P Grandis Antler Coral
Pocillopora grandis
Also known as: Branching Coral, Brush Coral, Cauliflower Coral, Elkhorn Coral
- Branching Coral
- Brush Coral
- Cauliflower Coral
- Elkhorn Coral
Overview
Found on coral and rocky reefs, most commonly at 2 to 30m, and often in high-energy spots with good water circulation down to 45m. It can grow as shallow as 1.5m in calm, protected places. Can be solid and dome-shaped, branching, flattened, and blade like, fine or irregular. Colours vary.
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 · 9
Found on coral and rocky reefs, most commonly at 2 to 30m, and often in high-energy spots with good water circulation down to 45m.
Adult photos 9
Discussion
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Deep dive
More in the family
Stony Corals (Pocilloporidae)



