Blushing Star Coral

Description:

Photo take at -35 ft on a coral reef.This species forms small to moderately large heads (15-75 cm) and is often simply encrusting. Brownish. On approaching this coral, the polyps withdraw giving the colony a blushing appearance. Columella massive, more or less laterally compressed. Septa in three cycles, the first two with pali or with paliform lobes attached to the columella.

Habitat:

Probably generally present in exposed waters; not very common. From 1 to nearly 100 m, but most common between 3 and 50 m.