Aquarium Corals
BY PATRICIA FERNANDEZ-WAID
Some of the most common coral genera found in aquariums are:
Pocillopora
From the Pacific and Indian Oceans, is a stony coral commonly referred to as cauliflower coral or brush coral. It is an easier species to grow given its ability to reproduce asexually.
Image Source: National Park of American Samoa
Acropora
Major reef corals responsible for the large calcium carbonate structures supporting a reef, commonly referred to as table coral, elkhorn coral, and staghorn coral.
Image Source: Andy Collins, NOAA
Turbinaria
Colonial stony corals, commonly referred to disc corals, scroll coral, cup coral, vase coral, pagoda coral and ruffled ridge coral.
Image Source: Stan Shebs, Birch Aquarium
Montipora
Small polyp stony coral, which species dependent, can grow as plates or ridges.
Image Source:
US Fish and Wildlife Service Headquarters J. Maragos