1
Siderastrea glynni
Siderastrea glynni
Ranked the number 1 EDGE Coral, Siderastrea glynni is the only member of its genus found in the Eastern Pacific and is endemic to a tiny area off the Panamanian coast.
Conservation Attention
Good
TOP 25 EDGE Corals
2
Poritipora paliformis
Poritipora paliformis
Poritipora paliformis is the only species within its genus. This makes it an incredibly distinct coral with a unique evolutionary history and few close relatives.
Conservation Attention
Very Low
3
Moseleya latistellata
Moseleya latistellata
Moseleya latistellata has a unique appearance with colonies tending to consist of few but large corallites which appear similar to warped or melting discs.
Conservation Attention
Very Low
4
Porites pukoensis
Porites pukoensis
With just 50 colonies estimated to exist off the coast of Molokai Island in Hawaii, the Critically Endangered Porites pukoensis is one of the rarest EDGE corals.
Conservation Attention
Low
5
Alveopora excelsa
Alveopora excelsa
Due to its attractive appearance Alveopora excelsa is often targeted for the aquarium trade across South East Asia.
Conservation Attention
Very Low
6
Cladocora caespitosa
Cladocora caespitosa
Unlike other EDGE Coral species, C.caespitosa is relatively well documented as it is widespread throughout the Mediterranean Sea and can be locally abundant.
Conservation Attention
Medium
7
Alveopora minuta
Alveopora minuta
Within the genus Alveopora, there are 12 species, most of which, like A. minuta, are poorly documented in terms of their biology and ecology.
Conservation Attention
Very Low
8
Stylocoeniella cocosensis
Stylocoeniella cocosensis
Stylocoeniella cocosensis is a widespread but rare coral with a preference for shallow waters and rocky overhangs.
Conservation Attention
Very Low
9
Boulder Star Coral
Orbicella annularis
Previously known as Montastrea annularis, Orbicella annularis is one of the most dominant species across the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico where it can form extremely large colonies which vary in morphology.
Conservation Attention
Low
10
Mountainous Star Coral
Orbicella faveolata
Subject to a recent name change (previously known as Montastrea faveolata), Orbicella faveolata was distinguished from Orbicella annularis in 1994.
Conservation Attention
Low
11
Stylophora madagascarensis
Stylophora madagascarensis
S.madagascarensis is a small branching coral only found off the coast of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean where it is relatively common.
Conservation Attention
Very Low
12
Montastrea salebrosa
Montastrea salebrosa
Montastrea salebrosa is rare across its range due to a relatively shallow depth limit of 20m.
Conservation Attention
Very Low
13
Parasimplastrea sheppardi
Parasimplastrea sheppardi
Parasimplastrea sheppardi is the only member of its genus.
Conservation Attention
Low
14
Turbinaria mesenterina
Turbinaria mesenterina
Turbinaria mesenterina is an enchanting and intricate scleractinian coral species whose colonies vary from brown to bright green in colour. The colonies form swirling layers of plates which interlock and fuse giving the appearance of a stone rose.
Conservation Attention
Very Low
15
Lobophyllia serratus
Lobophyllia serratus
Despite being endangered, the attractive morphology of Lobophyllia serratus results in it being continually targeted for the aquarium trade.
Conservation Attention
Very Low
16
Turbinaria peltata
Turbinaria peltata
Turbinaria peltata is an attractive and often colourful coral species that is heavily harvested for the aquarium trade.
Conservation Attention
Very Low
17
Turbinaria heronensis
Turbinaria heronensis
Turbinaria heronensis is a rare but relatively widespread species with a conspicuous appearance. Colonies possess irregularly shaped plates that can be described as foliose due to their leafy appearance.
Conservation Attention
Very Low
18
Elegance Coral
Catalaphyllia jardinei
Commonly known as Elegance Coral, Catalaphyllia jardinei is a beautiful and evolutionary distinct species that can be found living as a lone polyp or within a colony.
Conservation Attention
Good
19
Turbinaria reniformis
Turbinaria reniformis
Turbinaria reniformis is a key reef building coral, providing habitat for other reef inhabitants.
Conservation Attention
Very Low
20
Turbinaria patula
Turbinaria patula
Turbinaria patula is an evolutionarily distinct colonial species composed of plate like colony branches and tubular corallites which extend characteristically towards colony edges.
Conservation Attention
Very Low
21
Turbinaria bifrons
Turbinaria bifrons
Turbinaria bifrons is a reef building coral whose colonies are formed of numerous, folded plates.
Conservation Attention
Very Low
22
Horastrea indica
Horastrea indica
Horastrea indica is a massive colonial coral species that is only found in the Western Indian Ocean on tropical reef systems off the coasts of countries such as Mozambique, Tanzania, Madagascar.
Conservation Attention
Very Low
23
Ctenella chagius
Ctenella chagius
Ctenella chagius is a member of the small Meandrinidae family and is found exclusively in the Chagos Archipelago, Mauritius and La Réunion in the Indian Ocean.
Conservation Attention
Good
24
Turbinaria stellulata
Turbinaria stellulata
Turbinaria stellulata is a widespread yet uncommon reef building species. It is found at restricted depths and is therefore susceptible to coral bleaching, a process in which coral polyps eject algal symbionts due to stress.
Conservation Attention
Very Low
25
Pocillopora fungiformis
Pocillopora fungiformis
Commonly known as the Cauliflower coral, Pocillopora fungiformis is only found in tropical waters off the coast of Madagascar in the Western Indian Ocean.
Conservation Attention
Very Low
28
Lithophyllon ranjithi
Lithophyllon ranjithi
This endangered coral species has a range which is restricted to one small area off the coast of north-eastern Borneo where it is easily misidentified as a closely related species, Lithophyllon undulatum.
Conservation Attention
Very Low
29
Pillar Coral
Dendrogyra cylindrus
Commonly known as Pillar Coral, colonies of this species are found in flat, sheltered locations ranging from the southern tip of Florida down to the coast of Venezuela.
Conservation Attention
Very Low
32
Pearl Bubble Coral
Physogyra lichtensteini
Commonly known as the Pearl Bubble Coral, Physogyra lichtensteini is distinct due to its fleshy vesicles which are on display throughout the day providing refuge for several marine invertebrates including shrimp.
Conservation Attention
Very Low
33
Elephant Skin Coral
Pachyseris rugosa
Commonly named as the Elephant Skin Coral due to its wrinkly appearance, Pachyseris rugosa is a fairly common species on tropical reef systems within its range.
Conservation Attention
Very Low
41
Heliofungia actiniformis
Heliofungia actiniformis
Unlike many Scleractinian corals, adult polyps of Heliofungia are solitary and free living.
Conservation Attention
Medium
45
Star Coral
Orbicella franksi
Until recently, this species was included under Orbicella annularis. In 1994 O.annularis was split into three separate species; O.faveolata, O.annularis and O.franksi.
Conservation Attention
Low