Thorn Coral

Stylocoeniella armata

Thorn Coral forms encrusting colonies with corallites that are widely spaced, each featuring a prominent coenosteum style. Divers can spot these corals in shallow reef environments, often nestled in crevices, overhangs, and other shady habitats. Its distribution spans the Indo-Pacific region, from 36°N to 30°S and 32°E to 137°W, making it a common sight in tropical waters. Thorn Coral thrives at depths ranging from 1 to 50 meters, with the majority of occurrences being shallower than 40 meters. As a member of the class Anthozoa, Thorn Coral can be either gonochoric or hermaphroditic, releasing mature gametes into the coelenteron and spawning them through the mouth. The zygote develops into a planktonic planula larva, which undergoes metamorphosis before settling on the aboral end. For divers, encountering Thorn Coral involves exploring the nooks and crannies of the reef where it resides. The coral is currently listed as 'Least Concern' on the IUCN Red List.