Description: Colonies are massive and cerioid, with laterally compressed corallites of uneven height. Walls are acute: septa are thick, with large teeth. Columellae are barely developed. Colonies have a thick fleshy mantle which is covered by fine papillae.
Color: Very colourful: red, purple and green are the most common colours, with corallites and walls almost always of contrasting colours.
Habitat: Shallow reef environments especially of subtropical localities.
Abundance: Sometimes common.
Similar Species: Micromussa amakusensis. See also Acanthastrea echinata.
![Image](http://sdmas.com/corals/images/large/4-04M.jpg)
![Image](http://sdmas.com/corals/images/large/4-03.jpg)