Rice Coral

Another common stony coral found in Hawai'i's reefs is rice coral (Montipora capitata). It can be found in all reef environments from 0-50 meters from shore, and it is most commonly found in Kaneohe Bay. It looks like rice lumped together. It is dark-chocolate in color with white or beige borders. Its growth form is highly variable, encrusting and plate-like (found near the shore or shallow waters) or branching (found in deep ocean parts).

One very interesting phenemenon about the rice coral is that scientists recently discovered that rice corals will spawn (release of eggs and sperm) in Hawaii four of five days after the new moon in June or July. It is a very exciting event!