Pocillopora verrucosa

Taxonomy:

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

Appearance:

• Uniform upright branches
• Irregularly sized verrucae
• Can be compact in high exposure areas (waves) and more open and thin in protected habitats

Colony size: Usually >0.5m across

Colour: Most commonly cream, brown or pink.

Similar species: P. meandrina which has shorter and flatter branches with smaller verrucae.

Distinctive trait: Prominent but irregularly sized verrucae. When bleached, the bases of branches have a permanent red-brown colour.

Habitat: Most shallow water environments.