Hydnophora spp., commonly known as horn corals, belong to the family Merulinidae. They are widely distributed in the Indo-Pacific region, typically inhabiting reef slopes, lagoonal areas, and sheltered reef flats. Colonies are massive to sub-massive, sometimes forming irregular mounds, and are characterized by the presence of numerous conical or knob-like projections (tubercles) on the colony surface, giving the coral a rough and spiny appearance.
Sponges (Phylum Porifera) are a diverse group of sessile, aquatic invertebrates that are widely distributed in marine and freshwater environments. They are among the earliest-evolved multicellular animals, exhibiting a simple body organization without true tissues or organs. Sponges are characterized by a porous body with numerous ostia (small pores) that allow water to circulate through the body, facilitating filter feeding, respiration, and excretion.
Turbinaria spp., commonly known as scroll corals or screw corals, belong to the family Dendrophylliidae. They are widely distributed across the Indo-Pacific, typically inhabiting reef slopes, lagoonal areas, and turbid coastal environments. Turbinaria is easily recognized by its unique colony morphology, which can be foliose (leaf-like), cup-shaped, or turreted, with broad, vertically or horizontally oriented plates that often resemble stacked discs or spirals.
Stylophora sp. is a genus of branching stony corals commonly found in tropical Indo-Pacific reefs. It is well known for its dense, bushy growth and ecological importance in coral reef systems.
Montastraea spp., commonly referred to as boulder or massive star corals, belong to the family Merulinidae. They are widespread throughout the tropical and subtropical Atlantic and Indo-Pacific reefs, typically inhabiting reef slopes, reef crests, and lagoonal environments. These corals are massive and slow-growing, forming large, dome-shaped, encrusting, or columnar colonies that contribute significantly to reef framework and structural complexity.
Porites spp., commonly known as finger corals, lobe corals, or massive corals, belong to the family Poritidae and are among the most widespread and ecologically important reef-building corals in the Indo-Pacific. They inhabit a variety of reef habitats, including reef flats, slopes, lagoons, and patch reefs, often in areas with high sedimentation or fluctuating environmental conditions.
Porites spp., commonly known as finger corals, lobe corals, or massive corals, belong to the family Poritidae and are among the most widespread and ecologically important reef-building corals in the Indo-Pacific. They inhabit a variety of reef habitats, including reef flats, slopes, lagoons, and patch reefs, often in areas with high sedimentation or fluctuating environmental conditions.
Fungia sp. Mushroom coral / plate coral Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Cnidaria Class: Anthozoa Subclass: Hexacorallia Order: Scleractinia Family: Fungiidae Genus: Fungia Fungia sp., commonly known as mushroom coral or plate coral, is a solitary stony coral (unlike most corals, it lives as a single individual rather than a colony). General Description Fungia spp., commonly known as
Seriatopora spp., commonly known as bird’s nest corals, are small-polyp stony corals belonging to the family Pocilloporidae. They are widely distributed throughout the Indo-Pacific and are typically found on shallow reef slopes, reef fronts, and lagoonal environments with moderate to strong water movement. Colonies of Seriatopora are easily recognized by their delicate, highly branched, and often fragile skeletal structure, which forms dense, intricately intertwined “bird’s nest” shapes.
Goniopora spp., commonly referred to as flowerpot corals, are large-polyp stony corals belonging to the family Poritidae. They are widely distributed across the Indo-Pacific region, typically inhabiting sheltered reef slopes, lagoonal environments, turbid coastal waters, and soft-substrate areas. Goniopora colonies are easily recognized by their distinctive long, tubular polyps, each tipped with 24 tentacles, which give the coral its characteristic flower-like appearance when fully extended.
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