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Home › Sea Life Facts › Coral Formations › Serpent Corals (P. speciosa)

Interesting Facts about Serpent Corals

[Phylum: Cnidaria] [Class: Hexacorallia] [Order: Scleractinia (stony corals)] [Family: Pachyseridae]

The elephant skin appearance and pale brown colouration of serpent coral helps to distinguish it from other similar corallites found in tropical reef environments.

Being part of the order Scleractinia signifies it as a stony coral with wide distribution and an amazing adaptability for life on lower reef slopes and some lagoons.

Serpent Coral Common Habitats and Range

Pachyseris speciosa (also called ringed-plate coral) is one of the reef-building hermatypic coral species that are common in the Indo-Pacific region, but especially:

• The Red Sea
• Coastal regions of East Africa
• French Polynesia

These large plate-like colonies are unifacial, which means the polyps only develop on one side (the main surface).

Despite thriving in a range of marine habitats, the species tends to populate faster in the wild along shallow reef bases, typically at depths around six (6) metres (20 feet).

Nonetheless, it's not uncommon to find them living in areas in subtidal zones where strong currents prevail, and even in much deeper water at depths approaching forty (40) metres (130 feet).

Pro Tip: Similar to leptoseris corals (family Agariciidae), you will find most of the serpent coral species in areas with clearer water and less direct sunlight (e.g. on steep reef walls).

Characteristics of Serpent Corals

By and large, the colonies form concentric ridges that grow in a "horizontal" direction. Yet, you might also see the surface develop in upright columns with the distinctive striated groove patterns.

It's easy for the untrained eye to confuse serpent coral with a similar species called elephant skin coral (Pachyseris rugosa). It also has a wrinkled appearance. But, this species is bifacial, and the colonies tend to grow in a vertical direction.

Here's the thing:

The general colouring of Pachyseris speciosa is pale brown - often with light beige or cream coloured edgings. The presence of symbiotic zooxanthellae is responsible for the lighter colour around the margins.

With favourable conditions, and low UV levels, serpent coral colonies can grow up to several metres in diameter. However, the average size is closer to two (2) metres across.

What Does Serpent Coral Eat?

Despite having a strong reliance on microscopic algae for food (e.g. zooxanthellae), serpent coral can also capture plankton from the water column.

The photosynthesis formed by these algaes provide the reef building polyps with energy.

Interesting Fact: Tiny animals that drift in the water (known as zooplankton) is also a common food source for most coral species.

Serpent Coral Reproduction

Having a typical hermaphroditic reproductive process means male and female gametes are released into the water column.

Following external fertilisation, the larvae drift with the plankton in suspension until they can settle on a suitable structure, such as solid substrates and rocky outcrops.

Threats and Predators

Despite a current "Decreasing" population trend, and some habitat degradation, the conservation status of serpent coral (Pachyseris speciosa) is of "Least Concern", according to the IUCN Endangered Species Red List in 2023.

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