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Family
Pocilloporidae
Cauliflower,
Lace, & Antler Corals
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These coral have rough, solid skeletons
pitted by tiny calices. They inhabit areas exposed to surf, surge, or current.
Colony shape varies considerably according to physical factors and can be
difficult to identify in some situations. |
HAWAII
Pocillopora
damicornis
Compact form, Hanauma Bay, Oahu, 15 feet
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Intermediate form, Kapoho, Hawaii, 3 feet |
Delicate form, Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, 3 feet
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Moku O Loe, Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, 2 feet |
Moku O Loe, Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, 2 feet
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Moku O Loe, Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, 2 feet |
Ft. Kamehameha, Oahu, 3 feet
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Makapu'u tidepool, Oahu |
Makapu'u tidepool, Oahu
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Makapu'u tidepool, Oahu |
Makapu'u, Oahu, 5 feet |
Makapu'u, Oahu, 5 feet |
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LACE CORAL
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Forms small heads about 8 inches in diameter.
Delicate branches form in quiet bays. Compact knobby forms exposed to surf.
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Pocillopora
eydouxi
Kona Village, Hawaii, 25 feet
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Makapu'u, Oahu, 30 feet |
Halona Blowhole, Oahu, 35 feet
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Kewalo Pipe, Oahu, 50 feet |
Pupukea Firehouse, Oahu, 25 feet |
Kewalo, Oahu, 50 feet
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Kewalo, Oahu, 50 feet
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Kewalo, Oahu, 50 feet |
Kewalo, Oahu, 50 feet
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Atlantis Reef, Waikiki, Oahu, 60 feet |
Atlantis Reef, Waikiki, Oahu, 60 feet |
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ANTLER CORAL
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Inhabits deeper water exposed to currents.
May attain 3 feet in height or diameter. Branches large with flared ends or cylindrical.
Numerous fish and invertebrates shelter within it's branches.
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Pocillopora
ligulata
Kure Atoll, 5 feet
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Pitt Stop, Midway Atoll, 40 feet |
Hau'ula, Oahu, 15 feet
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Punalu'u, Oahu, 4 feet |
Kure Atoll, 50 feet |
Kure Atoll, 50 feet |
HAWAIIAN CAULIFLOWER CORAL
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Uncommon on shallow reefs; endemic to Hawai'i.
Irregular, angular branches with flaring tips, verrucae arranged
loosely, giving a prickly appearance. Easily
confused with Cauliflower Coral.
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| Left - P. meandrina, Right - P. ligulata
Manana Island, Oahu, 30 feet |
Pocillopora
meandrina
Kaiwi Point, Hawaii, 25 feet
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Kaiwi Point, Hawaii, 25 feet |
Haleiwa Trench, Oahu, 20 feet
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Sharks Cove, Oahu, 20 feet |
Kahe Point, Oahu, 20 feet |
Kewalo Pipe, Oahu, 40 feet
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Kewalo, Oahu, 40 feet
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Makapu'u, Oahu, 25 feet |
Atlantis Reef, Waikiki, Oahu, 60 feet |
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CAULIFLOWER CORAL
| Abundant in areas exposed to surf and current.
Forms hemishperical colony up to 20 inches in diameter with flattened, evenly folded
branches, with flaring tips. Short verrucae of uniform size evenly
and tightly packed. Colors include yellow, green, brown, and purple. The first coral to colonize new lava flows. |
Pocillopora verrucosa
Cabo Pulmo, Baja California, Mexico |
Kewalo Pipe, Oahu, 50 feet |
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Common throughout the Indo-Pacific & Tropical Eastern Pacific,
rarely reported from Hawaii. Branches are cylindrical with blunt
tips. Verrucae large & loosely packed giving a clumpy, prickly
appearance.
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Pocillopora
molokensis 
Moku Manu Pinnacle, Oahu, 150 feet
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Moku Manu Pinnacle, Oahu, 100 feet |
Atlantis Reef, Waikiki, Oahu, 70 feet |
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MOLOKA'I CAULIFLOWER CORAL
| Very similar to the common Cauliflower Coral; endemic.
Branches radiate horizontally. Inhabits very deep water. |
Madracis
pharensis
Nanahoa Pinnacles, Lana'i, 15 feet |
Nanahoa Pinnacles, Lana'i, 15 feet |
HIDDEN ORANGE CORAL
| Very small colonies are found on the ceiling of caverns
in shallow water. |
INDO-PACIFIC
Pocillopora elegans
Cabo San Lucas, Baja California, Mexico |
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| Unommon throughout the Indo-Pacific & Tropical Eastern Pacific. |
TROPICAL EASTERN PACIFIC
Pocillopora capitata
Cabo Pulmo, Baja California, Mexico |
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