Head coral

Habitat

Coral reef

Special Features

The colonies often look like small, compact hills or twisted heads that rise up from the reef. Their colors range from brown and olive green to yellow and reddish tones, often with a slightly mottled pattern. Sometimes the surface shimmers almost like marble, especially when the sun shines on the water: a real eye-catcher for divers.

Appearance

Dipsastraea favus is a massive stony coral that grows slowly but steadily. It lives in symbiosis with tiny algae, the zooxanthellae, which help it harness sunlight, essentially like a mini solar power plant right in the coral skeleton. The individual polyps sit in clearly defined calcareous cups, giving it the typical “brain or head” pattern.

Natural Enemies

Certain coral-eating fish, sea urchins, and also parasitic snails can cause damage.

Dangerous/Toxic

Not dangerous or toxic to humans.

Sketch

1. bowl-shaped structure

2. polyps

Best observed on sunny days in shallow reef areas. Look for the plate-shaped structures that usually align horizontally.

When diving against the light, the edges of the coral often appear translucent – ideal for impressive underwater photos. Do not touch the coral; although it seems robust, even slight contact can injure the polyps.

The large colonies provide habitat for small reef fish and shrimp, and with a bit of patience, interesting microhabitats can often be observed. These corals prefer to grow in areas with strong currents, so pay attention to your buoyancy and the current to avoid unintentionally drifting into them.