Pocillopora verrucosa
Pocillopora verrucosa
Special features
Gall crabs love to take shelter in the thickened tips of the branches.
Appearance
Pocillopora verrucosa is a coral species that grows in round colonies. These colonies are made up of strong, evenly-sized branches that have blunt, rounded tips. The coral can come in a variety of colors, ranging from cream to gray-green, gray-brown, green, pink, and blue.
Natural enemies
Fish
Dangerous/Venomous
Paw coral is neither dangerous nor venomous.
Sketch
1. polyp
2. evenly-sized branch
Pro tips
Pocillopora verrucosa can be found in almost all shallow reefs. It inhabits both the reef tops and slopes, extending down to depths of 25 meters. This coral species thrives in both the shallow, surface-level areas and the slightly deeper parts of the reef.
An interesting feature of Pocillopora verrucosa is that it is particularly favored by Gall crabs from the genus Haplocarcinus, which like to live in the thickened ends of the branches. The term "Gall crab" refers to their lifestyle in the protected areas of the coral, which resemble small "gall sacks." These crabs often have a symbiotic relationship with the corals and use these thickened ends as a safe refuge, protecting themselves from predators and finding a place to live.
Text: Carolina Leiter
Pic: Felician Hosp
Illustration: Dive Dict
