Boulder Star Coral

Description:

A common coral in the area. The colonies grow in several morphotypes, that were originally described as separate species. The species occurs as long, thick columns with enlarged, dome-like tops; large, massive mounds; sheets with skirt-like edges; irregularly bumpy mounds and plates or as smooth plates. Colonies up to 3 meter in diameter. The surface is covered with distinctive, often somewhat raised, corallites. Shades of green to brown, yellow-brown and gray.

Habitat:

Dive site 1000 Steps, Bonaire. It inhabits most reef environments and the species is often the predominant coral between 7 and 25 m. The flattened plates are most common at deeper reefs, down to 50 m. Common to abundant in Florida, Bahamas and the Caribbean.