Radiant Coral
Lobophyllia radians
Also known as: Brain Coral, Dented Brain, Greater Brain Coral, Sinuous Cup Coral
- Brain Coral
- Dented Brain
- Greater Brain Coral
- Sinuous Cup Coral
Overview
Found over upper reef slopes of fringing reefs. Colonies are flat to dome shaped, walls are thick, with a fleshy appearance and a groove along the top.
Colours vary from red, green, grey, with valleys and walls of contrasting colours.
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 · 5
Found over upper reef slopes of fringing reefs.
Adult photos 5
Discussion
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Deep dive
Taxonomy
- familyMussidae
- genusLobophyllia
- speciesLobophyllia radians (Milne Edwards & Haime, 1849)
SourcesWoRMSCorals of the World