Vase Coral

zooxanthellate

Colonies are usually thin leaves. Calices are 3 to 6 mm in diameter, and in general are spaced about a corallite diameter apart. Costae run between septa and are beaded. The primary septa are markedly exsert, and bear paliform lobes. This is a common species on steep Red Sea reef slopes, generally below 15 m deep, and in lagoons of Indian Ocean atolls at depths to 25 m. (Sheppard, 1998 ) Colonies consist of thin laminae arranged in whorls or tiers or, rarely, forming tubes. Corallites are relatively thin-walled and have calices 2.5-4.0 mm in diameter. Columellae are small and compact, and paliform lobes are well developed. Colour: Amber, pale to dark brown or greenish, often with darker-brown or green calices. Abundance: common and may be dominant in shallow-water habitats with flat substrates. (Veron, 1986 ) Resembles E. gemmacea, but corallites smaller (usually 4-6 mm across). Forms plates which may be encrusting or contorted and foliose; these are thinner (