Southern Green Coral

Species Name: Plesiastrea versipora

Description: Plesiastrea is a true stony coral in southern Australia that forms small flat colonies on shallow reefs that can be up to a metre or more across. The individual polyps are around 2-4mm diameter, with tentacles that are sometimes extended during the day.

This coral forms small clumps on deeper reefs in the Marine Sanctuary and these are usually bright green or brown in colour due to the algae known as zooxanthellae that live in their tissues and make food in sunlight. These corals can also fluoresce at night.

Type: Stinger
Where to find: Subtidal Reefs
Size: 3m