Trachyphyllia geoffroyi

(Audouin, 1826)

Vernacular names
English : Open brain coral
French : Corail cerveau ouvert

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

Identification
Colonies are composed of a single huge polyp with up to 3 different mouth. Younger colonies fairly open, old colonies becoming meandroid. Septa are large and visible, fleshy mantle. Bright colors, usually green, red, blue or brown.

Range and habitat
This species occurs in the Indo-Pacific region, from Red Sea and East Africa to Vanuatu, north to South Japan, south to north Australia. Lives in sandy and soft-bottomed areas between coral reefs, from 5 to 40 meters.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : NEAR THREATENED
CITES : Appendix II
Status : The species is locally common but highly dependant on healthy coral reefs, making it potentially threatened by loss of habitat and overcollection.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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