Slipper Coral

zooxanthellate

This coral is free living and strongly elongate. It is colonial, with numerous centres down a central furrow as well as secondary centres down the sides of the corallum. The species reaches 45 cm long and about 10-15 cm wide. Septa very finely toothed. They are arched, and run from the central furrow to a secondary centre. The species is abundant and widespread in the Red Sea. It occurs in mid-depths, on coral rubble and hard substrates (Sheppard, 1998). Colonies are elongate with rounded ends. Secondary centres are numerous. Few primary septa extend from the axial furrow to the perimeter. Some colonies develop forked axial furrows and become Y-,T-, or X-shaped. Colour: pale or dark brown or greenish-brown. Abundance: common on partly protected reef slopes where Fungia occur (Veron, 1986). The largest of the fungiids, up to over 1 m in length (commonly 30-50 cm). Colonial, not solitary. Colonies are elongated, irregularly shaped with rounded ends. Colour: usually dark brown. Habitat: sheltered reefs (Richmond, 1997); sand (Kalk, 1959).