Hexacorallia |
Scleractinia |
Merulinidae
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Reef-associated; depth range 0 - 40 m (Ref. 847). Tropical; 36°N - 34°S, 26°E - 172°W (Ref. 847)
Indo-Pacific.
Length at first maturity / Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
More recognizable when polyps are retracted. Characterized by conical collines called monticules, which sometimes combine to form ridges. Color varies from grey to blue or bright green.
Occur in small colonies. Polyps expand during the day. An extremely aggressive species. Surface is often covered with barnacles, particularly Creusia spp. (Ref. 130769).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Members of the class Anthozoa are either gonochoric or hermaphroditic. Mature gametes are shed into the coelenteron and spawned through the mouth. Life cycle: The zygote develops into a planktonic planula larva. Metamorphosis begins with early morphogenesis of tentacles, septa and pharynx before larval settlement on the aboral end.
Babcock, R.C. 2003 Identification of Sclerectinian Coral Recruits from Indo-Pacific Reefs. Zoological Studies 42 (1):211-226. (Ref. 791)
IUCN Red List Status
(Ref. 130435: Version 2025-1)
CITES status (Ref. 108899)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Human uses
| FishSource |
Tools
More information
Trophic EcologyFood items (preys)
Diet composition
Food consumption
Predators
Population dynamicsGrowthMax. ages / sizesLength-weight rel.Length-length rel.Length-frequenciesMass conversionAbundance Life cycleReproductionMaturityFecunditySpawningEggsEgg developmentLarvae PhysiologyOxygen consumption
Human RelatedStamps, coins, misc.
Internet sources
Estimates based on models
Preferred temperature
(Ref.
115969): 24.7 - 29, mean 27.7 (based on 726 cells).
Price category
Unknown.
