Goniopora stokesi

(Milne Edwards & Haime, 1851)

Vernacular names
English : Green flowerpot coral
French : Goniopora de Stokes

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

Identification
Colonies have a small stony base up to 80 cm in diameter. Each colony is composed of groups of polyps growing to 24 cm in length, each one bearing 24 small round tentacles. Oral cone white, tentacle tips clearer. Polyps beige green.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in the Indo-Pacific area, from Red Sea and East Africa to south Japan, north Australia and east to Pacific islands. Mostly found free-living on soft substrates, down to 30 meters deep.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : NEAR THREATENED
CITES : Appendix II
Status : The species isn’t common but has a large range. It is vulnerable both from the effects of climate change and, locally, overcollection for the trade.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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