Lord Coral

Micromussa lordhowensis is a colonial coral forming low clumps that can be two metres (yards) across. The corallites are large, up to 15 mm (0.6 in) in diameter, with walls composed of closely packed septa with fine teeth. The columella is well-developed. The colour varies widely and is often formed of two contrasting shades of red, orange, purple, blue or green.

Micromussa lordhowensis occurs in the western Indo-Pacific on reefs at depths down to about 30 metres (98 ft). Its range extends from the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aqaba and the eastern coast of Africa to the East China Sea, Japan and Australia. It takes its specific name from Lord Howe Island, the most southerly coral reef in the Pacific. There it is found among about 83 recorded species of stony coral which include many tropical species at the southern limits of their range, along with subtropical species not found on the nearby Great Barrier Reef.

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species lists certain subspecies of coral as being "Near Threatened". In the main however it is a common species that is widely distributed and seems to be more resilient than some other species. Recent studies of the population size have been done documenting huge colonies of this coral species in most coral growing regions of the world. Many colorful species of this coral are popular in the aquarium trade for its colorful exemplars and hardiness. The coral grows and propagates rapidly in captive reef environments and thrives under lighting and flow conditions that other Mussidae would not survive. It is best known recently as a "trend coral" that commands high prices in the reef trade that are not related to its rarity, population or accessibility.