You are viewing this Genus as classified by:  IUCN threat
status:  Not evaluated  Brief Summary  Read full entry   The
polyps of Pocillopora corals are hermaphrodite; they each
possess four sets of male and four sets of female gonads (2).
Pocillopora can reproduce asexually as well as sexually. Unlike
many corals, the coral larvae develop inside the polyps rather
than in the water column. When the mature larvae are released
into the water, the larvae can remain free-swimming for several
weeks before settling on the substrate. They can even become
partly polyp-like during this period, enabling feeding to occur
before settling and commencing skeleton formation (2).
Pocillopora can also successfully reproduce asexually via
fragmentation (5). Pocillopora corals are hermatypic corals, and
therefore have microscopic algae (zooxanthellae) living within
their tissues. Through photosynthesis, these symbiotic algae
produce energy-rich molecules that the coral polyps can use as
nutrition (2). In return, the coral provid