Acanthastrea hillae
Wells, 1955
Description: Colonies are cerioid and usually small but sometimes over 1.5 metres across. Corallites have irregular shapes and sometimes form short valleys with several centres. Colonies have moderately fleshy tissue over the skeleton.
Color: Red, cream and brown, with walls and oral discs of contrasting colours; sometimes mottled.
Habitat: Shallow reef environments.
Abundance: Common only in high latitude locations.
Similar Species: Acanthastrea ishigakiensis and A. maxima, both of which have relatively fleshy polyps.
Source reference: Veron (2000). Taxonomic references: Chevalier (1975), Veron and Pichon (1980). Identification guides: Veron (1986), Nishihira and Veron (1995).
A large massive colony. Norfolk Island, western Pacific Photograph: Charlie Veron
Corallite detail. Norfolk Island, western Pacific Photograph: Charlie Veron
Colony surface. Great Barrier Reef, Australia Photograph: Charlie Veron;
Corallite detail. Norfolk Island, western Pacific Photograph: Charlie Veron
Skeletal detail. Showing corallites.