Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Cnidaria
Class: Hexacorallia
Order: Scleractinia
Family: Plerogyridae
Genus: Plerogyra
Species: P. sinuosa
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Bubble Coral
Bubble Coral
Plerogyra sinuosa
Plerogyra sinuosa
Habitat & Distribution : Coral reef area with calm waters, western Pacific ocean
Diet : Nutrients from zooxanthellae photosynthesis; plankton
Size:
Corallite: 2,5 - 4 cm;
Colony: 30 - 60 cm
Lifespan: Unknown
Description
The bubble coral has bubble shaped polyps, often the size of grapes. The bubbles can be round, tubular, branched or irregular. The size depends on age. It is often cream or gray colored.
Behavior
During the day, the bubble will expand to maximize its surface area, in order to absorb as much sunlight as possible, which is needed for its zooxanthellae endosymbiont to photosynthesize. When night falls, the bubbles will deflate and the tentacles will come out to capture any plankton or particles. It also has longer "sweeper" tentacles to "attack" any coral that strays too close to it.
Reproduction
Reproduces sexually, by spawning and asexually, by budding.
Communication & Perception
Like other cnidarians, they are known to have a network of nerve cells that can sense light, pressure, physical contact and chemical cues.
Predator
crown of thorns starfish (COTS), angelfish, tangs
Status Konservasi : Risiko Rendah (IUCN Red List; 2024)
Fakta unik
The bubble coral is a zooxanthellate coral, meaning that it forms a close symbiosis with the microalgae, zooxanthellae that lives inside its tissues. The zooxanthallae can photosynthesize, providing the coral with nutrients that fulfill most of its nutritional needs. The presence of this zooxanthellae also gives the coral its splendid colors!
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