We assume these are all Pocillopora meandrina although there are other species, such as P. verrucosa, that are similar in size and shape. These are common to abundant on all lagoon, pinnacle and seaward reefs right up into the intertidal.
The one below could be P. verrucosa.
The one below is a stunted colony living in the intertidal, where it risks drying out at lower low tides.
Warming water peaking at 30°C in 2009, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2018 caused many colonies to lose their symbiotic plants and their color and many of those have died. See the discussion under Porites bleaching for more information.
Created 22 April 2020
Updated 11 June 2023