Goniopora pendulus
Veron, 1985
Description: Colonies are hemispherical. Columellae are large. Polyps are large, with drooping tentacles.
Color: Brown or greenish-brown.
Habitat: Protected turbid reef environments.
Abundance: Common at the Houtman Abrolhos Islands, south-west Australia, uncommon elsewhere.
Similar Species: Goniopora stokesi. See also G. djiboutiensis, G. ciliatus and G. lobata, which have smaller polyps. Alveopora gigas has polyps of similar size and appearance except that polyps have twelve tentacles.
Source reference: Veron (2000). Taxonomic reference: Veron (1985). Identification guide: Veron (1986).
This species forms massive colonies which have a shaggy appearance due to long polyps and tentacles. Honshu, Japan Photograph: Charlie Veron
Skeletal detail. Showing corallites.
Polyp detail. Great Barrier Reef, Australia Photograph: Charlie Veron