Acropora hemprichii

Acropora hemprichii (6) irregular radial corallites Reefscapers Maldives

Coral Description

Taxonomy:

Kingdom: Animalia >> Phylum: Cnidaria >> Class: Anthozoa >> Order: Scleractinia >> Family: Acroporidae

Appearance:

  • Irregularly branching colonies, can grow to >2 m across
  • Form thickets
  • Sturdy upright/prostrate branches
  • Branches taper slightly

Colour: Usually brown or pinkish brown

Axial Corallites:

  • Dome shaped
  • Incipient axial corallites common

Radial Corallites:

  • Large
  • Conical
  • Irregularly spaced
  • Thick smooth walls

Similar species: Acropora rudis has larger branches and corallites, radial corallites are restricted to the upper side of branches. Acropora austera has thinner branches and radial corallites are usually more tubular.

Habitat:  Shallow reefs

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