Goniopora tenuidens
A common Indo-Pacific coral resistant to bleaching and disease.
Goniopora tenuidens is a colonial stony coral belonging to the family Poritidae, found in shallow waters across the tropical Indo-Pacific. The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists it as a species of "least concern."
This coral forms solid, hemispherical or irregular mounds. Its corallites—the small, rounded stony cups housing the polyps—each feature six palliform lobes along their inner edges. The polyps themselves are distinctive: uniform in length, topped with a tidy bundle of tentacles. Colors range from bluish to green or brown, often with white-tipped tentacles.
The species is native to the tropical Indian Ocean and western Pacific Ocean. Its range extends from Madagascar, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden, across the western, central, and eastern Indian Ocean, to Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Japan, the South China Sea, northern and eastern Australia, and various western Pacific island groups. It lives subtidally in diverse reef habitats and lagoons, down to depths of about 30 meters (100 feet).
Ecologically, *Goniopora tenuidens* is one of several corals bioeroded by the sponge *Cliona orientalis*, which tunnels into its skeleton.
This is a common coral with a broad range and presumably large total population. It shows greater resistance than many corals to bleaching and disease. The primary threat to its reef habitats comes from climate change, which brings more severe storms and ocean acidification. Although *Goniopora* corals are often collected for the aquarium trade, the IUCN still assesses this species as being of "least concern."
Quick Facts
- Genus
- Goniopora
- Species
- tenuidens
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Colonies of this species form solid hemispherical or irregular mounds. The corallites are small and rounded, each having six palliform lobes on their inner margins. The polyps are of a distinctive appearance, being of regular length and topped with a uniform bundle of tentacles. The colour of this coral may be bluish, green or brown and the tentacles may be tipped with white.
Goniopora tenuidens is native to the tropical Indian Ocean and the western Pacific Ocean. Its range extends from Madagascar, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, through the western, central and eastern Indian Ocean to southeastern Asia, Indonesia, Japan and the South China Sea, northern and eastern Australia and island groups in the western Pacific Ocean. It is found subtidally in various reef habitats and in lagoons, at depths down to about 30 m (100 ft).
This species is one of several species of corals that are bioeroded by the sponge Cliona orientalis, which tunnels into its skeletal structure.
Reader's Guide
Goniopora tenuidens is a common species of coral with a wide range and a presumed large total population. It is more resistant than many corals to bleaching and coral diseases. The main threat faced by corals is destruction of their reef habitats, through climate change, with increased incidence of severe storms, and ocean acidification. Despite corals in the genus Goniopora often being collected for the aquarium trade, the International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed the conservation status of this species as being of 'least concern'. Its significance lies in its relative resilience to environmental stressors compared to other corals, and its widespread distribution across the Indo-Pacific, making it a notable component of shallow reef ecosystems.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Goniopora tenuidens?
Goniopora tenuidens is a colonial stony coral in the family Poritidae that grows into solid, hemispherical or irregular mound-shaped colonies. It lives in shallow tropical waters across the Indo-Pacific.
What does Goniopora tenuidens look like?
Each small, rounded corallite is lined with six palliform lobes, and the polyps are uniform in length with a neat bundle of tentacles on top. Coloration typically runs from bluish to green or brown, often with white-tipped tentacles.
Where can you find Goniopora tenuidens?
Its range stretches from the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden through Madagascar, Indonesia, and up to Japan and the South China Sea. It generally occupies shallow waters down to roughly 30 meters (about 100 feet).
What is the conservation status of Goniopora tenuidens?
The IUCN lists Goniopora tenuidens as a species of 'least concern,' meaning it is not currently facing a significant risk of extinction in the wild.
Why is Goniopora tenuidens notable among Indo-Pacific corals?
It is well known for its relative resilience to coral bleaching events and disease, making it a hardy species in a region where many corals are highly vulnerable to environmental stress.
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