Snowflake coral

Type: Marine Fish
Title: Snowflake coral
Common Name: Snowflake Coral
Scientific Name: Carijoa riisei
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Cnidaria
Class: Octocorallia
Order: Octocorallia
Family: Carijoide
Genus: Carijoa
Species: Carijoa riisei
Short Description: Marine; depth range 10 m. Prefers shade and grows on hard surfaces away from direct sunlight such as caves, under piers, ledges, overhangs, docks, piers, offshore oil platforms, and ship hulls. Also found in a range of marine habitats, including reefs, mangroves, and man-made structures.
Habitat: Marine; depth range 10 m. Prefers shade and grows on hard surfaces away from direct sunlight such as caves, under piers, ledges, overhangs, docks, piers, offshore oil platforms, and ship hulls. Also found in a range of marine habitats, including reefs, mangroves, and man-made structures.
Location Description: India; Andaman and Nicobar islands, the Gulf of Mannar and the Gulf of Kutch. Kerala: Kovalam, Vizhinjam, Karumkulam, Thumba of Thiruvanathapuram district. Tamil nadu: Muttom and Kadiayapattanam of Kanyakumari district.
Reproduction Details: Azooxanthellate (lacks symbiotic zooxanthellae) relies entirely on filter feeding by extending its polyps to capture zooplankton and organic particles from the water. Feeds primarily on phytoplankton with smaller proportions of zooplankton and other material. Colonies are either male or female; they release gametes into the water at any time of year. Gametes are liberated into the sea at any time of year, a strategy unusual among corals which mostly synchronise spawning with the phases of the moon. Larvae are likely benthic, as the eggs sink. Has few predators: specific nudibranchs (Phyllodesmium poindimiei and Tritoniopsis elegans) in the Indo-Pacific and bearded fireworm (Hermodice carunculata).

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