Description

English

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Colonies develop columns with dead basal parts. Calice diameters are variable and range from about 3 to 5 mm diameter, with most being no larger than about 3.5 mm. Columellae are large. The coral has a much neater appearance than the "ragged" structure of G. stokesi calices. Living polyps are up to 10 cm long. This is probably the commonest Goniopora in the Arabian region and Indian Ocean generally. It is common in sheltered, sandy or lagoonal areas where it develops columnar colonies in the manner of G. stokesi, though usually not so large. It is common at all depths between 2 and 15 m deep in such habitats. (Sheppard, 1998 <308>) Colonies are short columns, oval in transverse section. Calices are 3.5-4.5 mm in diameter. Those near the tops of columns have fine irregular septa and diffuse columellae. Those on the sides of columns have broad compact columellae and short septa. Living colonies have large polyps. Colour: brown, green or yellow. Contracted polyps usually have distinctly different colours. Abundance: Common, forms large monospecific stands especially in turbid water. (Veron, 1986 <57>)

Veron JEN. (1986). Corals of Australia and the Indo-Pacific. <em>Angus & Robertson Publishers.</em>