Secret Coral
Favites abdita
Also known as: Brain Coral, Honeycomb Coral, Large Star Coral, Larger Star Coral, Moon Coral, Pineapple Coral, Star Coral
- Brain Coral
- Honeycomb Coral
- Large Star Coral
- Larger Star Coral
- Moon Coral
- Pineapple Coral
- Star Coral
Overview
Found over most reef environments, of coral and rocky reefs. Colonies are rounded or hillocky, and can reach over one metre across, with thick walls, and either green or brown oral discs.
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 · 7
Found over most reef environments, of coral and rocky reefs.
Adult photos 7
Discussion
No comments yet. Seen one, or got a question about it? Start the discussion.
Deep dive
More in the family
Stony Corals (Merulinidae)




