Characters: Colonies are generally submassive to encrusting and are less than 0.3 metres across. Corallites are 5-9 millimetres diameter and have thick fleshy mantles. Septa are in 3 or 4 distinct orders. Primary septa have 1 or 2 pointed teeth above the wall; this can sometimes be seen underwater. Paliform lobes are weakly developed. ‘Groove and tubercle’ formations are usually well developed. Sand, often containing turf algae, is usually compacted between the corallites and is probably held there by secretions of polychaete worms.
Colour: Dark red (which may photograph dark brown as below), with green or white oral discs.
Similar Species: Resembles Blastomussa wellsi underwater.
Habitat: Shallow water, especially adjacent to sandy substrates.
Abundance: Rare.
Taxonomic Note: Previously in the genus Montastrea/Montastraea. This species warrants a new separate generic designation.
Taxonomic References: Hodgson (1985); Veron (2000a); Budd, Fukami, Smith et al. (2012);
Identification Guides: Turak and DeVantier (2011b);
