Artichoke Coral

Description:

Usually attached but may be free-living, with a tapered base. Polyps have one, rarely two or more centres and are sometimes over 100 mm across. They may be only a few mm thick, with successive regrowths forming tiers. Sometimes corallites have several mouths. Septa are in two or three orders of slightly different size. A paliform crown may be distinguishable. Polyps are fleshy. Colour: Uniform or variegated brown, red, tan or green. Sometimes bright orange (which may photograph brown).

Habitat:

Habitat: Lower reef slopes and soft substrates. Seen in Andrea I and Oil Slick Leap coral reefs, Bonaire.

Notes:

Pic by hubby Mark.