Robust ivory tree coral
Cladocora arbuscula
(Lesueur, 1821)
Description:
Colonies form small, densely branching clumps, varying between 2.5 and 15 cm. The short branches have fine ridges running their length. The branch diameter decreases slightly near the tip. Each branch ends with a single corallite.
Color:
Tan to golden brown and dark brown.
Corallites:
Corallite diameter up to 6 mm, with 36 septa. Columella trabecular and discontinuous, 1 mm in diameter.
Habitat:
Inhabit shallow areas with a high sedimentation, such as Turtle grass beds (Thalassia testudinum ), down to 20 meters. Rarely on clear water reefs.
Distribution:
Common to occasional Florida, Bahamas and Caribbean.