Alveopora spongiosa

(Dana, 1846)

Vernacular names
English : Spongiose net coral
French : Corail-filet spongieux

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

Identification
Colonies can reach a diameter of up to 2 meters, sometimes even more. They are generally encrusting, sometimes forming plates. Small polyps are often extended with pointed knob-like tip, often light green. Rest of color is brown.

Range and habitat
This species occurs in the Indo-Pacific area, from Red Sea and East Africa to South Japan and north Australia, east to French Polynesia. Lives in protected upper reef slopes, from 9 to 20 meters, rarely down to 50 m.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : NEAR THREATENED
CITES : Appendix II
Status : This species has a very large range but is susceptible to bleaching when the conditions are not right. It is still locally common at this time.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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