Adopt a Porites Astreoides
“Mustard Hill” Coral Species

Porites astreoides, also known as the Mustard Hill coral, is a flat coral with a hemispherical shape. It is typically a yellow to brown color covered with small bumps.

Life on Zoe:

Porites astreoides are our second most abundant species on Zoe. Being resistant to sedimentation, it essentially grows on the flat platforms of Zoe’s feet, in massive lumps for the biggest and encrusting shape for the youngest. It can come in various colors, but this green-yellowish form is responsible for its common name: Mustard hill coral. It is widespread, being seen mostly in shallow and well-lit water. Many of them are fiercely defended by territorial damselfish or surrounded by urchins. 

Fun fact: 

Characteristics of the Mustard Hill coral include the presence of stinging cells called cnidae, a gut cavity, and a polyp body form. It is a stony coral with a hard calcium carbonate skeleton where the polyps always bear six tentacles. Porites astreoides provide protection and nutrients to the zooxanthellae in the form of waste released by the coral. In return, the zooxanthellae provide photosynthate for energy in the form of amino acids, sugars, and carbohydrates. The photosynthate acquired by the coral is essential for growth and calcification. This symbiotic relationship creates a highly successful base of coral reef environments in which many other animals inhabit.