Dipsastraea speciosa

(Dana, 1846)

Vernacular names
English : Moon coral
French : Corail lune

Classification
Class : Anthozoa
Order : Scleractinia
Family : Merulinidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
Massive colonies reaching up to 50 cm in diameter but usually smaller. Corallites have a circular shape and well defined thick round rim with uniform and regular septa. Coloration is grey, green or brown with contrasting chalices.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in the Indo-Pacific area, from Red Sea and South Africa to central Pacific in French Polynesia and Marquesas Islands. Lives in shallow tropical rocky and coral reefs, from 3 to 40 meters deep.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Appendix II
Status : The species is still common in the wild but impacted by climate change. It can recolonize an area very quickly when conditions are suitable.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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