VU

serpent coral

Pachyseris rugosa

Unknown

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Serpent coral faces severe pressure from ocean warming and acidification, which cause bleaching events and weaken its calcium carbonate skeleton. Coastal development and sedimentation from land-based activities smother colonies and reduce water quality in shallow reef environments. Destructive fishing practices and anchor damage from boats physically destroy coral structures, while pollution from agricultural runoff creates nutrient imbalances that favor algal growth over coral health.

Threat summary

Habitat

Serpent coral inhabits shallow tropical coral reefs and lagoons across the Indo-Pacific, typically growing on reef slopes and flat reef areas at depths of 1-20 meters. It forms encrusting and plate-like colonies on hard substrates, often in areas with moderate water flow and good light penetration.

MARINE· major

Threatened in American Samoa

VU

Horse's Hoof Clam

Hippopus hippopus

Declining
VU

Medusanthera samoensis

Unknown
VU

Alveopora excelsa

Declining
VU

Carcharhinus albimarginatus

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is serpent coral classified as Vulnerable?
serpent coral is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. Serpent coral faces severe pressure from ocean warming and acidification, which cause bleaching events and weaken its calcium carbonate skeleton. Coastal development and sedimentation from land-based activities smother colonies and reduce water quality in shallow reef environments. Destructive fishing practices and anchor damage from boats physically destroy coral structures, while pollution from agricultural runoff creates nutrient imbalances that favor algal growth over coral health.
Where does serpent coral live?
serpent coral occurs in American Samoa, Australia, Brazil, China, Egypt, and Fiji (plus 24 other countries). Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to serpent coral?
The main threats to serpent coral are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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