Guide for the Identification of the Shallow Water Corals of the 
Wider Caribbean 
Ernesto Weil and Hector Ruiz 
Department of Marine Sciences, University of Puerto Rico. 
Identification of coral especies in the field could be difficult even for marine biologists. Even today, there is confusion 
with the identity of many of the common shallow water coral species of the wider Caribbean. Of the 27 zooxanthellae 
coral genera recognized, 21 (77 %) present some taxonomic problem with the component species. New approaches 
and better technologies have produced new information that has allowed scientists to separate species from what was 
considered for decades to be morphologically-variable ecomorphs, redescribe as one single species two or more mor-
phological variations that were considered as separate taxa, or describe new species. The main goal of these lamina-
ted ID cards is to facilitate and standardize the identification in the field of the common corals and hydro corals of 
the wider Caribbean. We have selected representative photos and prepared simple, clear and concise descriptions of 
each species. To facilitate the identifications, the species were organized according to their common morphologies 
instead of their evolutionary relationships. Below we present a guide to use the information in these ID cards effi-
ciently. Some rare species and "formae" (uncommon morphologies) are not included. 
The production of these cards was possible thanks to the financial aid of the Caribbean Environmental Programme 
of the United Nations Environment Programme and the logistical support of the Department of Marine Sciences of 
the University of Puerto Rico. Final editing by Isabel Urreiztieta. 
Species scientific 
name. 
:--~► 
Montastraea faveolata (Mfav): Large, massive, crustose 
and platy colonies with a smooth surface. Green, gray and 
pale-dark brown, Medium size corallites (2-3 mm) with 24 
septa in two cycles. Very common in most reef habitats. 
(0.5-30 m). 
Reference scale to esti-
mate approximate 
colony sizes in photos. 
Standardized species abbrevia-
-----c 
tion. Useful when collecting 
underwater data for analyses. 
Depth interval (in meters) 
where the species is com-
monly found. 
'' 
Brief description of the most common characteristics of the 
species such as: Most common morphologies and colony 
traits - Most common colors - General characteristics of 
the corallites (size, number ofsepta, etc.) or the valleys and 
ridges (width, # of septa/cm, pattern, etc.) and - Relative 
abundance (abundant, common or rare) in most areas. 
Copyright, 2003. 
Shallow water corals of the wider Caribbean - 1 
Acropora palmata (Apal): Large colonies with thick, wide, 
long branches. Dark orange with white edges. Small, tubular 
and protruded corallites with 12 septa. Abundant in shallow, 
exposed, platform and slope reef zones. (0.5 - 12 m). 
Acropora prolifera (Apro): A hybrid taxon with thick, wide or 
cylindrical branches that ramificate into thin, short finger-like 
ends. Dark orange with white tips. Small, tubular, protruded 
corallites with 12 septa. Common/rare. (0.5 - 5 m). 
Porites furcata (Pfur): Colonies with longer, thinner branches 
than P.por, dicotomic pattern and rounded tips. Gray or tan 
colors. Small, round corallites with 12 septa. Forms small col-
onies or extensive patches. Common/rare. (0.5 - 20 m). 
Ernesto Weil and Hector Ruiz• Do not copy. 
Department of Marine Sciences • University of 
Puerto Rico. eweil@caribe.net. © 2003. 
Acropora cervicornis (Acer): Long, cylindrical, thick or thin 
branches. Dark orange with white axial polyp. Small, tubular 
and protruded corallites with 12 septa. Forms thickets in 
intermediate depth zones. Abundant/common. 
(0.5-40 m). 
Porites porites (Ppor): Compact colonies with thick, short 
rounded branches or loose colonies with thick, long, open 
pointed branches. Gray and tan colors. Small corallites with 
12 septa. Forms extended patches. Abundant. (0.5 - 45 m). 
Porites divaricata (Pdiv): Small colonies with short, thin, 
open, and dicotomic branches. Yellow, gray or tan colors. 
Small, round corallites with 12 septa. Forms patches in back-
reef and seagrass areas. Common/rare. (0.5 - 20 m). 
~-<::.--;::, ~ 
!< ENVJ,; 
~c,, J 
~ 
~?,ill 
·~ 
~ 
UNEP 
Rt,~1 
Shallow water corals of the wider Caribbean - 2 
Cladocora arbuscula (Carb): Small, loose colonies with 
long, cylindrical, thin corallites or branches. Pale brown with 
dark mouths. Corallites with 36 septa. Shallow and deep 
sedimentary zones. Common/rare. (l - 20 m). 
Madracis formosa (Mfor): Medium to large colonies with 
thick, long, wide, dichotomous branches. Chocolate brown 
with yellow centers. Small, separated corallites with 8 
primary septa. Mostly deep environments. Rare. ( 15 - 50 m). 
Oculina diffusa (Odif): Small colonies with thin (<10 mm), 
long branches. Pale yellow to tan colors. Large, protruded, 
separated corallites with three cycles of septa. Granulose 
surface. Common/rare. (l - 15 m). 
Ernesto Weil and Hector Ruiz - Do not copy. 
Department of Marine Sciences - University of 
Puerto Rico. eweil@caribe.net. © 2003 . . 
Madracis mirabilis (Mmir): Long, thin, dichotomous bran-
ches with round tips. Yellow to pale tan. Small, round, sepa-
rated corallites with ten primary septa. Forms small clusters 
and extensive patches. Common. (5 - 20 m). 
Madracis decactis (Mdec): Short branching, nodulose or 
crustose colonies. Olive green to dark purple or gray. Small, 
round, separated corallites with ten primary septa. Interme-
diate to deep zones. Common/abundant. 
(3 - 40 m). 
Oculina valenciennesi (Oval): Small colonies with long, me-
dium thick (>10 mm), hard branches. Pale yellow to tan and 
dark centers. Large, protruded, separated, corallites. Might 
form large clusters. Deep habitats. Rare. ( l O - 20 m). 
~ Ei.\,v,Jr. 
J 
~ 
'~ ' 
,l'O(;R,\~\,,_\ ' 
Shallow water corals of the wider Caribbean - 3 
...__ 
Eusmilia fastigiata (Efas): Hemispheric clusters of large, 
single, bi-lobate, or elongated corallites on long, centrally-
converging stalks. Pale yellow to greenish, 14 well deve-
loped septa (out of 72 total). Common/rare. (3 - 25 m), 
rlJ. 
Montastraea annularis (Mann): Clusters of long, thick, cylin-
~ drical columns. Live tissue only at the dome-like tops. Round 
~ boulders in shallow waters. Golden yellow or tan. Round, 
....,. 
medium-size corallites with 24 septa. Abundant. (0.5 - 25 m). 
rlJ. = 
,,...... 
u 
Scolymia cubensis (Scub): Solitary, round, fleshy, medium 
size (< 5 cm in diameter) polyps. Variable coloration, Six 
cycles of spiny, thick and thin alternating septa. Found in 
cryptic, deep habitats. Common/rare. (10-30 m). 
Ernesto Weil and Hector Ruiz - Do not copy. 
Department of Marine Sciences - University 
of 
Puerto Rico. eweil@caribe.net. 
© 2003. 
Mussa angulosa (Mang): Hemispheric and compact clusters 
of large(> 5 cm), fleshy, rough-looking polyps at the tip of 
short stalks that converge centrally. Variable coloration (red-
blue-greens). Thick, spiny septa. Common/rare. (8 - 35 m) . 
Dendrogyra cylindrus (Dcyl): Heavy, thick, tall, cylindrical 
pillars growing from a wide, crustose base. Tan to golden 
yellow. Colony has meandroid pattern with deep, narrow 
valleys and thick septa (7-10/cm). Common/rare. 
(l - 25 m) . 
Shallow water corals of the wider Caribbean - 4 
Montastraea cavernosa (Mcav): Crustose, platy or large 
domes. Variable coloration (green, orange, red, gray, etc). 
Large, protruded corallites (5-12 mm) with 48 septa in four 
cycles. Common in most reef habitats. (0.5 - 95 m). 
Diploria labyrinthiformis (Diab): Large, hemispherical and 
crustose colonies with meandroid, narrow, deep and con-
tinuous valleys. Pale to dark golden yellow. Ridges with a 
wide grove and thin septa ( 14-17 /cm). Common. (0.5-35 m). 
Colpophyllia natans (Cnat): Large hemispherical, massive, 
or platy colonies. Brown, green, redish or combinations. Nar-
row, meandroid. continuous or closed valleys with steep, 
groved ridges, thin septa (8-9/cm). Abundant. (0.5-45 m). 
Ernesto Weil and Hector Ruiz - Do not copy. 
Department of Marine Sciences - University of 
Puerto Rico. eweil@caribe.net. 
© 2003. 
Diploria clivosa (Deli): Crustose to massive, nodulose colo-
nies. Mostly gray. Narrow, meandroid valleys and round 
ridges. Thin, small septa (25-38/cm). Common in Shallow 
reef habitats with good water movement. (0.5-5 m). 
Diploria strigosa (Dstr): Large massive, hemispheric, platy or 
crustose colonies. Pale brown, green or gray. Wide, mean-
droid, continuous valleys. Rounded ridges with 15-20 
septa/cm. Very common in all reef habitats (0.5 - 35 m). 
Colpophyllia amaranthus (Coma): Massive thick plates on a 
stalk. Green, brown or other colors. Wide, deep, meandroid, 
mostly continuous valleys with tall, thick ridges with central 
grove. Rare. (5 - 30 m). 
,, 
J 
"' 
~ 
~ 
0cRM•'\t-
QJ 
r,;_ 
Q -
r,;_ = 
~ 
u 
-... 
QJ > 
•• 
r,;_ 
r,;_ 
~ 
~ 
Shallow water corals of the wider Caribbean - 5 
Montastraea faveolata (Mfav): Large massive, crustose and 
platy, smooth-looking colonies. Green, gray and brown. 
Medium size (3-4 mm), exerted, uniform corallites, 24 septa 
in two cycles. Abundant in all reef habitats. (0.5 - 30 m). 
Siderastrea siderea (Ssid): Hemispheric, crustose or massive, 
medium-to-large colonies. Variable coloration (reddish, tan, 
pale blue). Small (3-5 mm), sunken corallites with many 
septa (48 or more). Abundant in most depths. (0.5- 35 m). 
Siderastrea radians (Srad): Small to medium size, crustose, 
massive or loose, round colonies in shallow areas. Tan to 
yellow. Medium (4-5 mm), wide, sunken corallites with 24-30 
septa, Abundant to common in shallow habitats. (0. l - 5 m). 
Ernesto Weil and Hector Ruiz - Do not copy. 
Department of Marine Sciences - University of 
Puerto Rico. eweil@caribe.net. © 2003. 
Montastraea franksi (Mfra): Medium to large massive, crus-
tose and platy colonies with an irregular, knobby surface. 
Green to reddish brown. Protruding, unevenly distributed 
corallites (3-6 mm) with 24 septa. Abundant. (4 - 80 m). 
Siderastrea stellata (Sste). Small to medium size, hemispheri-
cal, massive colonies. Reddish and tan colors. Wide open, 
sunken, polygonal corallites (5-7 mm) that are larger than in 
S. siderea and S. radians. Rare. ( l 0 - 20 m). 
Stephanocoenia intersepta (Sint): Crustose, massive and 
hemispherical colonies. Light to dark brown or tan. Polygo-
nal-looking, medium-size (2-3 mm), separated and uniform 
corallites with 24 septa. Common. ( l - 95 m). 
J 
.,i 
·~ ' 
<l'O(;R,\~\1'-t 
Shallow water corals of the wider Caribbean - 6 
Madracis pharensis (Mpha): Thin, crustose, sub-massive or 
nodulose colonies, Dark purple in cryptic areas (forma luci-
phogous) or green in deep open areas (forma luciphylla), 
Small corallites ( 1,5 mm) with 20 septa. Common. (3 - 90 m). 
Dichocoenia stokesi (Dsto): Small hemispherical or platy co-
lonies with highly protruded corallites, Golden yellow or pale 
brown. Corallites are large, round with a single polyp or 
elongated with two or more mouths. Common. (l - 50 m), 
Porites "branneri"(Pbra): Small massive or crustose-platy co-
lonies with smooth surface. Blue and green to pale gray. 
Small corallites with 12 septa. Might be different from the 
species in Brasil. South Caribbean, Rare/common, (< 6 m). 
Ernesto Weil and Hector Ruiz - Do not copy. 
Department of Marine Sciences - University of 
Puerto Rico. eweil@caribe.net. 
© 2003. 
Madracis senaria (Msen): Small crustose and massive colo-
nies. Olive green to dark brown, Small, uniform corallites (2 -
3 mm) with l O septa, five of which are conspicuously exer-
ted over the colony surface. Common/rare. ( 12 - 40 m). 
Dichocoenia stellaris ( Dste): Thick crusts or plates with ele-
vated corallites. Dark orange or brown. Large, widely sepa-
rated, round to oval corallites with a single polyp or mouth, 
Intermediate to deep habitats. Rare/common. (5 - 30 m). 
Porites astreoides (Past): Small to medium size, crustose, 
platy or massive colonies. Variable colors (bright yellow, 
green, brown or gray). Coarse surface with knobs and small, 
sunken corallites with 12 septa. Abundant. (0.2 - 70 m). 
Shallow water corals of the wider Caribbean - 7 
Porites co/onensis(Pcol): Small, thin, foliose or sub-massive 
colonies with a smooth surface. Variable colors (dark brown 
with light mouths or green with red mouths). Small corallites 
(1.5 mm). Endemic to Panama and Costa Rica. (4- 15 m) . 
........._ Manicina aerolata (Maer): Small, elongated or round, thick, 
~ unattached colonies. Variable coloration. Deep, wide, long, 
.....,. 
central valley with short lateral extensions. Tall, thick ridges. 
~ Common in seagrass and sandy habitats. (2 - 25 m). 
~ 
~ 
lsophyllastrea rigida (lrig): Small, hemispherical or crustose. 
Green and blue green with pink tones. Large, deep, polyg-
onal corallites with one or two centers. Thick, grooved 
ridges and spinous septa (25-30). Common. (4 - 45 m). 
Ernesto Weil and Hector Ruiz - Do not copy. 
Department of Marine Sciences - University of 
Puerto Rico. eweil@caribe.net. © 2003. 
Solenastrea bournoni (Sbou): Massive or crustose, medium-
size colonies with crests and knobs. Dark tan, pale or golden 
yellow. Medium (3-6 mm), round, protruded corallites with 
24 septa. On sandy bottoms, Rare/common. (l - 45 m). 
Manicina mayori (Mmay): Small, sub-massive, hemispherical 
or crustose attached colonies. Green, brown or mixed 
colors. Wide, deep, meandroid valleys and thick, tall, fleshy 
ridges with central groove. Deep habitats. Rare. ( 15 - 25 m). 
Favia fragum (Ffra): Small, hemispherical or crustose colo-
nies. Tan, yellow or orange. Large, sunken, separated coral-
lites with one or more mouths and three cycles of septa (36 
- 48). Abundant in shallow habitats. (0.2 - 10 m). 
Shallow water corals of the wider Caribbean - 8 
lsophyllia sinuosa (lsin): Small, round, thick platy or crustose 
colonies. Olive, blue-green with pink tones. Short but contin-
uous, wide, deep valleys. Thick, fleshy, tall ridges with cen-
tral groove and thick septa (7-8/cm). Common. (10-25 m). 
Meandrina meandrites (Mmea): Sub-massive, platy or crus-
tose colonies. Light yellow or pale tan colors. Long, wide, 
shallow valleys and low, narrow ridges with intercalated, 
short septa (8- 13/cm). Common. (3 - 30 m). 
Meandrina "brasiliensis" (Mbra): Small, unattached, elon-
gated colonies. Mustard to dark brown. Long central valley 
with wide lateral extensions. Thick, wide, alternated septa (7 
- l 0/cm). Deep, sandy habitats. Common/rare. (15 - 50 m). 
Ernesto Weil and Hector Ruiz - Do not copy. 
Department of Marine Sciences - University of 
Puerto Rico. eweil@caribe.net. 
© 2003. 
lsophyllia multiflora (lmul): Massive hemispherical or thick 
platy colonies. Green or bluish with purple and pink tones. 
Wide, deep, closed valleys with one or more mouths. Thick, 
tall, fleshy ridges with central groove. Rare. (5 - 15 m). 
Meandrina memorialis (Mmem): Large massive, thick platy 
or crustose colonies. Golden to mustard yellow. Long, deep, 
narrow valleys and wide, tall ridges formed by thick, wide, 
alternating septa. (7 - 12/cm). Common. (3 - 30 m). 
Undaria agaricites (Uaga): Small, massive, hemispherical or 
crustose colonies. Yellow, green and pale brown. Short, 
deep, reticulated closed valleys with one to five mouths. 
Small corallites (3-5/cm). Abundant. (0.5 - 30 m). 
ti-<,,~ 
~.~,\ 
~ g 
~ 
UNEP 
J 
'-I 
·~ ' 
al'O(;RM1i,.\ , 
Shallow water corals of the wider Caribbean - 9 
Undaria humilis (Uhum): Wide, thin, radially-extending 
plates. Dark golden to brown with golden to dark mouths. 
Long, narrow, concentric valleys with short, steep ridges. 
Small corallites (3-5/cm). Common. (3 - 30 m). 
Undaria tenuifolia (Uten): Thin, foliose, bifacial, vertical 
blades forming clusters and extensive patches. Pale brown 
to gray. Wavy ridges and long, wide valleys. Small corallites 
(3-5/cm). Abundant/rare in some areas. (l - 20 m). 
Undaria danai (Udan): Medium size colonies with wide or 
foliose base and thick, wide, tall, vertical, bifacial blades. 
Olive green to gray. Long, undulated valleys with small cor-
allites (2-5/cm). Common. (l - 30 m). 
Ernesto Weil and Hector Ruiz - Do not copy. 
Department of Marine Sciences - University of 
Puerto Rico. eweil@caribe.net. 
© 2003. 
• 
Undaria purpurea (Upur): Wide, thin plates with occasional 
bifacial, upward blades. Olive green or light purple. Reticu-
lated surface due to short, closed valleys and steep, tall 
ridges. Small corallites (3-5/cm). Common, (3 - 30 m). 
Undaria carinata (Ucar). Small colonies with a thin, wide, 
platy, unifacial base and upward, tall, thick bifacial blades. 
Olive green or tan. Short, reticulated valleys and small coral-
lites (3-5/cm). Rare/common. (4 - 30 m), 
Helioceris cucullata (Hcuc): Small, foliose, unifacial colonies. 
Dark brown or green with white edge and yellow centers 
sometimes. Tall, discontinuous or broken ridges with small (3 
mm) calices at base. Common. (5 - 40 m). 
J 
-I 
'~ ' 
,\'O(;RA,~1,,_\ 
Shallow water corals of the wider Caribbean 
10 
r, . 
, 
Agaricia undata (Aund): Cluster of thin, wide, foliose, unifa-
cial plates that develop radially. Light brown to tan. Wide, 
open valleys and tall but flat ridges with corallites at the 
base. Uniform septa. Deep habitat. Rare. (> 20 m). 
Agaricia lamarcki (Alam): Large, wide, thin plates. Reddish 
brown with white, star-like centers. Wide, continuous valleys 
with one-two series of small corallites (3-5/cm). Alternating 
thin and thick septa. Common. (5 - 60 m). 
Mycetophyllia ferox (Mfer): Thin, wide plates with border 
ridge. Green-bluish with brightly colored, protruded centers. 
Wide, continuous or closed valleys. Low, flat, grooved ridges 
that extend through the colony. Common. (4 - 40 m). 
Ernesto Weil and Hector Ruiz - Do not copy. 
Department of Marine Sciences - University of 
Puerto Rico. eweil@caribe.net. © 2003. 
Agaricia fragilis (Afro): Small, wide-round, unifacial, foliose 
or thin plates. Dark orange-brown or green with white edge. 
Narrow, long and deep, continuous valleys. Small corallites 
(5-7/cm). Common/rare. 
(5- 40 m). 
Agaricia grahamae (Agra): Large, wide, thin, unifacial plates 
centrally attached. Light brown to yellow. Long, wide and 
shallow valleys with protruding ridges. Small corallites ( 4-5 
/cm). Uniform septa thicker than interspaces. Rare.(> 15m). 
Mycetophyllia aliciae (Mali): Large, thick, wide plates with 
bordering ridge. Purple or olive to bright green. Wide valleys 
with 2-3 centers. Thick, radiating ridges absent from center 
of colony. Common/rare. ( 12 - 45 m). 
J 
~ 
'~ ' 
<l'OGR,\~11''"' 
Shallow water corals of the wider Caribbean - 11 
Mycetophyllia danaana (Mdan): Thick, small plates. Dark 
green and blue with pink tones. Deep, narrow valleys with 
single line of centers. Thick, fleshy, grooved ridges extend 
across center of colony. Rare/common. ( 15 - 45 m). 
Mycetophyllia ressi (Mres): Large, thin, wide plates or crusts. 
Dark purple, red-green. Continuous border ridge. Absent 
ridges across colony or short at the edges. Large, sepa-
rated, protruding corallites. Deep. Rare. ( 18 - 50 m). 
Millepora complanata (Mcom): Tall, thin, wide, erect blades 
well attached at the base. Yellow to light brown. Smooth 
surfaces with many small, separated pores. Can form wide 
thickets in shallow areas. Stings. Abundant. (0.2 - 20 m). 
Ernesto Weil and Hector Ruiz - Do not copy. 
Department of Marine Sciences - University of 
Puerto Rico. eweil@caribe.net. 
© 2003. 
Mycetophyllia lamarckiana (Mlam): Thick, elongated, wide 
plates. Varied coloration. Wide valleys with one/two series 
of centers. Thin, long, continuous or broken ridges that do 
not reach the colony center. Common/rare. (10- 30 m). 
Millepora alcicornis (Male): Hydrocoral with thin, short, 
abundant, cylindrical, pointed branches in different planes. 
Light brown or yellow. Many small pores on surface. Stings. 
Can form wide crusts. Abundant. (0.2 - 35 m). 
Millepora squarrosa (Msqu): Small, crustose or sub-massive 
colonies. Cream to yellow. Thick ridges give the colony a 
bee-hive appearance. 
Small pores all over. Less stinging 
than the other two species. Rare/common. (3-20 m). 
ti"<~,~ 
~.~,\ 
~ Jff 
/ ' 
UNEP 
J 
.... 
·~ ' 
,\'O(;R,\~1,,_\