Description
Boulder Star Coral (Orbicella Franksi), is a species of Hard stoney coral. This species of coral gets its name from its appearance, it has numerous small star shaped coral polyps that cover the its surface. This species is found in the in tropical and sub-tropical waters across the world.
Habitat
This species of Boulder Star Coral is found in the Western Atlantic ocean, Indian Ocean, Central Pacific, and Indo-Pacific region, and generally distributed in tropical and sub-tropical waters across the world.
Diet
Boulder Star Coral has a symbiotic relationship with algae that lives in the corals tissues. the algae provides energy through photosynthesis. The coral feeds on plankton and small organism that passes through the water column. The catches phytoplankton and zooplankton with their stinging tentacles.
Appearance
Boulder Star Coral has a distinctive star pattern that covers the exterior of the hard coral. The coral can have a range of colouration, including brow, green, and yellow, which is influenced by the algae.
Key Features
- Small star pattern formed on the surface of hard coral
- Often large boulder shaped coral
- Can have a range of colouration, including brow, green, and yellow, which is influenced by the algae.
Threats
IUCN Conservation Status: Near Threatened
Frequently Asked Questions
This species of Boulder Star Coral is found in the Western Atlantic ocean, Indian Ocean, Central Pacific, and Indo-Pacific region, and generally distributed in tropical and sub-tropical waters across the world.
This species of hard coral has a symbiotic relationship with algae that lives in the corals tissues. the algae provides energy through photosynthesis. The coral feeds on plankton and small organism that passes through the water column. The catches phytoplankton and zooplankton with their stinging tentacles.
