Goniastrea retiformis
| Goniastrea retiformis | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Goniastrea retiformis | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Cnidaria |
| Class: | Anthozoa |
| Subclass: | Hexacorallia |
| Order: | Scleractinia |
| Family: | Merulinidae |
| Genus: | Goniastrea |
| Species: | G. retiformis |
| Binomial name | |
| Goniastrea retiformis (Lamarck, 1816) | |
Goniastrea retiformis is a species of stony corals in the Merulinidae family.
Description
This species forms massive colonies, domed, flat or columnar, reaching a maximum diameter of 50 centimetres (20 in) and an height of 1 metre (3 ft 3 in). It has small deep calices, usually with a diameter of 3–4 millimetres (0.12–0.16 in). Corallites are recessed, four to six sided. The basic color of these corals is cream or pale brown, but it may also be brown, pink or green. [1][2]
Distribution and habitat
This quite common species can be found in the Indo-West Pacific, the Red Sea, the Indian Ocean and the Australian coast. It occurs on reef slopes, especially in shallow waters. [1]