anemone coral
Goniopora albiconus
Photo: iNaturalist: (c) Shigeru Harazaki, all rights reserved, uploaded by Shigeru Harazaki
Overview
Goniopora albiconus is a hard coral species belonging to the family Poritidae, characterized by its distinctive white-tipped polyps that extend from a robust, dome-shaped or encrusting calcium carbonate skeleton. This anemone coral plays a crucial ecological role as a reef-building species, providing habitat structure for numerous marine organisms while contributing to the overall biodiversity and stability of coral reef ecosystems.
Goniopora albiconus faces significant threats from ocean warming and acidification, which cause coral bleaching and reduce calcification rates essential for skeletal growth. Coastal development, pollution, and destructive fishing practices further degrade reef habitats, while the species' slow growth and recovery rates make populations particularly vulnerable to cumulative stressors.
Habitat
Shallow tropical coral reef environments in the Indo-Pacific, typically found in lagoons and reef flats at depths of 1-20 meters where water clarity and light penetration support symbiotic zooxanthellae. Prefers areas with moderate water flow and stable substrate for colony attachment.
Other threatened species in Poritidae
Threatened in India
Frequently asked questions
Why is anemone coral classified as Vulnerable?
Where does anemone coral live?
What are the main threats to anemone coral?
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