Frogspawn coral

Biology

The tentacles of this coral species have split ends terminating in a round point. To the untrained eye, these ends will strongly resemble grapes. Experts in this field, however, have long learned to recognize this species from the distance, while quickly identifying their toad-egg shaped polyps. In shallower areas not as exposed to the powerful action of waves, it will quickly grow to be the dominant species.

Conservation

Coral reefs around the world are in danger. The major threat to corals is global climate change, high temperatures and ocean acidification. Localized threats to corals include fisheries, invasive species, dynamite fishing, chemical fishing, pollution, sedimentation, and human recreation and tourism activities.

Curiosities

Frogspawn coral is an aggressive species; its polyps are armed with highly poisonous cells, with which it attacks any organism that disturbs it.