Golf Ball Coral

Favia fragum

Golf Ball Coral, known scientifically as Favia fragum, is a small colonial stony coral found in tropical waters of the Atlantic Ocean. It is typically hemispherical in shape and features closely packed corallites, which are the skeletal cups housing the coral polyps. The corallites are usually round but can elongate into an oval shape during budding. The coral's coloration ranges from yellow to pale brown, often with tan to light orange-brown hues and pale green tentacles. This coral species inhabits a variety of environments, including coral reefs, rocks, seagrass meadows, and among seaweed, at depths ranging from 0 to 30 meters. It is widespread in the tropical Atlantic, from the west coast of Africa to the Caribbean and southern United States. The Golf Ball Coral is a zooxanthellate species, meaning it has a symbiotic relationship with photosynthetic algae, which provides it with energy. Reproductively, Golf Ball Coral is hermaphroditic, releasing mature gametes into the water column where fertilization occurs. The resulting zygote develops into a planktonic planula larva, which eventually settles and metamorphoses into a new coral colony. The IUCN Red List categorizes this coral as being of Least Concern due to its widespread distribution and common occurrence.