Classification / Names Common names | Synonyms | CoL | ITIS | WoRMS

Hexacorallia | Scleractinia | Merulinidae

Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range Ecology

Reef-associated; depth range 0 - 50 m (Ref. 115197). Tropical; 41°N - 37°S, 26°E - 170°W

Distribution Countries | FAO areas | Ecosystems | Occurrences | Introductions

Indo-Pacific. Tropical to subtropical.

Length at first maturity / Size / Weight / Age

Maturity: L_m ? range ? - ? cmCommon length : 2.0 cm DL male/unsexed; (Ref. 269)

Short description Morphology

The head coral is one of the numerous species so-called due to their rounded massive shape, similar to a human head. Corallites are evenly distributed, plocoid, exsert, circular or slightly oval, 1 to 2 cm in diameter, and usually separated from each other by a few millimeters. Colonies grow to about 1 m diameter and are found at all depths (Ref. 269). Color varies from grey-green, to brown; often mottled (Ref. 130769).

Corallites are evenly distributed, plocoid, exsert, circular or slightly oval, 1 to 2 cm in diameter, and usually separated from each other by few millimeters. Colonies grow to about 1 m diameter and are found at all depths (Ref. 269). Maximum depth from Ref. 98471.

Life cycle and mating behavior Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae

Hermaphroditic (Refs. 113708, 113712). Mature gametes are shed into the coelenteron and spawned through the mouth. Life cycle: The zygote develops into a planktonic planula larva. Metamorphosis begins with early morphogenesis of tentacles, septa and pharynx before larval settlement on the aboral end (Ref. 833).

Main reference References | Coordinator | Collaborators

Hodgson, G. 1998. (Ref. 269)

IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2024-1)

Least Concern (LC) ; Date assessed: 03 January 2008

CITES status (Ref. 108899)

Appendix II: International trade monitored

CMS (Ref. 116361)

Not Evaluated

Threat to humans

Human uses

| FishSource |

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Trophic Ecology

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Ecology

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Human Related

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Taxonomy

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Synonyms
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References

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Estimates based on models

Preferred temperature (Ref. 115969): 24.5 - 29.1, mean 28.1 (based on 1300 cells).

Price category (Ref. 80766): Unknown.

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