831 species

Goniopora columna

Dana, 1846

Goniopora

de Blainville, 1830

Characters: Colonies are short columns, oval in transverse section. Corallites near the tops of columns have fine irregular septa and diffuse columellae. Those on the sides of columns have broad compact columellae and short septa. Colonies have large polyps with large oral cones.

Colour: Brown, green or yellow, usually with white oral cones. Contracted polyps usually have distinctly different colours.

Similar Species: Goniopora stokesi, which has larger polyps and a ragged wall structure. See also G. lobata.

Habitat: Forms large single species stands, especially in turbid water.

Abundance: Common.

COTW History since Veron (2000a)
  • Family: All families are currently under review
  • Genus/species: No change