Siderastrea siderea
Ellis and Solander, 1786
Description: Colonies are encrusting to massive and are usually over one metre across. Corallites are 3-4.5 millimetres diameter, with numerous septa tightly compacted giving a smooth surface. Septa are uniformly separated and reduce in number from the wall to the columella without forming many fan-like fusions.
Color: Usually light reddish-brown.
Habitat: Shallow reef environments.
Abundance: Common.
Similar Species: Corallites are larger than any other Siderastrea.
Source reference: Veron (2000). Taxonomic references: Roos (1971), Cairns (1982). Identification guides: Colin (1978), Humann (1993).
A boulder-like colony in shallow water. Belize Photograph: Mary Stafford-Smith
Surface detail. Belize Photograph: Charlie Veron
A small encrusting colony. Belize Photograph: Charlie Veron
Skeletal detail. Corallite detail. Drawing: Geoff Kelly