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| hard corals text index | photo index |
| Phylum Cnidaria > Class Anthozoa > Subclass Zoantharia/Hexacorallia > Order Scleractinia > Family Euphyllidae > Euphyllia sp. |
| Torch
anchor coral Euphyllia glabrescens Family Euphyllidae updated Nov 11 Where seen? This small hard coral that resembles sea anemones are sometimes seen on our Southern shores. Features: The colony appears to be boulder-shaped, those seen 10-20cm, sometimes much larger. But the colony is not solid (massive). Hidden under the tentacles, the corallites are branching and trumpet-shaped (phaceloid): long narrow column flaring out at the top (1-2cm). The branching corallites are arranged with the broad, flared portions facing out to form an overall spherical shape. But this feature is usually hidden when the polyps' long tentacles are expanded. Tentacles long (2-3cm) with a rounded white tip (not U-shaped). Colours seen beige, brown or blue with white tips. Sometimes confused with other Euphyllia species. Here's more on how to tell apart the Euphyllia species. With their tentacles fully extended, torch corals may also resemble white-tipped mushroom corals (Heliofungia actiniformis). The torch coral, however, has much shorter tentacles and of course an entirely different skeleton structure. Status and threats: This coral is listed as globally Near Threatened by the IUCN. Like other creatures of the intertidal zone, they are affected by human activities such as reclamation and pollution. Trampling by careless visitors, and over-collection also have an impact on local populations. |
 Pulau Semakau, Dec 05  |
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Torch anchor corals on Singapore shores
 Pulau Semakau, Aug 08 |
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 Pulau Hantu, Jul 08 |
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 Bleaching. Terumbu Pempang Darat, Jun 10 |
 Bleaching. Pulau Hantu, Jun 10 |
 Bleaching. Pulau Hantu, Jun 10 |
more photos of torch anchor corals on Singapore shores
part 1 | part 2 | part 3
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Links
References
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Australian Institute of Marine Science, Australia. 3 volumes.
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