| Pocilloporidae () |
| 30 cm DL (male/unsexed) |
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reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 26 m |
| Indo-Pacific and Western Central Atlantic: East to Hawaii and Panama, south to Lord Howe Island, west to Red Sea, and north to Japan. |
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Colonies: Ramose, covered with varrucae; corallites plocoid, less than 1 mm across, found both on varrucae and in between. Tendency of corallites to become cerioid near branch tips. Septa: poorly developed, in 2 cycles, may be reduced to a row to a row of spines. Peritheca: echinulate. Columella: Free. Thickness of branches may vary with exposure to water movement and depth. Colonies growing in shallow water or exposed to wave action: Have thick sturdy branches. Colonies from deep calm waters tend to have thin fragile branches. Color: Mottled brown in life. |
| Fisheries: Used directly as construction material, to make lime, used to make concrete, and to sell as curios; Live coral collected for aquarium trade; no report of direct consumption as food (Ref. 269). Maximum depth from Ref. 83917. Can be found in shallow waters (Ref. 122680). Forms low, compact colonies; in mono-specific or multi-species reefs throughout its range from shallow depths until 20 m; common, relatively tolerant of sedimentation and low salinity as long as there is adequate water motion (Ref. 269). Also in mangrove swamps and wharf piles (Ref. 98471). Has variable (0-50%) bleaching level and low estimated mortality in Palau (Ref. 66144). |
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Endangered (EN); Date assessed: 27 October 2023 (A3ce) Ref. 123251)
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