Herpolitha limax forms elongate heavy corals that are hollow underneath and are common and widespread throughout the atoll on lagoon, pinnacle and seaward reefs. Larger ones can exceed 30cm. It is possible that not all of those figured below belong to this species. Some seem to fall under the description of Herpolitha weberi, a species that some consider a synonym of H. limax. Often buried in sand or in the hollows underneath H. limax you can find the wentletrap snail Surrepifungium costulatum, which feeds on the coral and deposits its egg masses under it.
This one has apparently been on this large colony of Lobophyllia for some time, shading and killing the polyps beneath it. This one shows some of the characteristics of Herpolitha weberi.
Some form curved or branched skeletons. I used to watch for those that formed letters. Here's a J.
And an X.
Y? Some of these could be H. weberi.
K?
These thinner, lighter weight ones have been called Herpolitha weberi, which is now considered a synonym of H. limax.
Created 11 April 2020
Updated 8 June 2023