Birdsnest Coral, Seriatopora hystrix.
 
(Phylum Cnidaria, Class Anthozoa, Order Scleractinia.
see Overview of Cnidarian Diversity)
 

This species of small-polyped stony coral from the Indo-Pacific exists in a number of different forms that differ in coloration and growth habit. This colony is a brown form with relatively thick branches (we also have a thinner-branched pink form of the same species).

This species has extremely small polyps that are lined up in rows on the branches.

About Corals, Anemones, and their Kin