Cyphastrea decadia
Moll and Borel-Best, 1984
Description: Colonies are branching, with Acropora-like axial corallites. On upper reef slopes, colonies have compact branches; on soft substrates, branches are more open and colonies are fragile. Primary septa vary from 10 to 12 in number. Costae are usually weakly developed.
Color: Brown, grey or cream.
Habitat: A wide range of reef environments, especially lagoons.
Abundance: Uncommon.
Similar Species: None.
Source reference: Veron (2000). Taxonomic references: Moll and Borel-Best (1984), Veron (1992). Identification guide: Nishihira and Veron (1995).
A large stand in a sandy lagoon. Ryukyu Islands, Japan Photograph: Charlie Veron
Detail of a colony exposed to moderate wave action. Papua New Guinea Photograph: Charlie Veron
A finely branched colony. Sulawesi, Indonesia Photograph: Gerry Allen
Skeletal detail. Showing corallites.
Corallite detail. Cebu, Philippines Photograph: Roger Steene