It is widespread and found from the waters of Madagascar and Saudi Arabia in the Indian Ocean to Micronesia and Samoa in the Pacific.

[2] It obtains most of its nutritional needs from the symbiotic dinoflagellates that live inside its soft tissues.

Its remaining needs are met by the planktonic organisms caught by the tentacles of the polyps.

The main threats faced by corals in general are related to climate change and the mechanical destruction of their coral reef habitats; increasing damage from extreme weather events, rising sea water temperatures and ocean acidification.

All corals receive protection by being listed on CITES Appendix II.