Branching Coral | Pillar Coral | Table Coral | Elkhorn Coral | Foliase Coral | Encrusting Coral | Massive Coral | Mushroom Coral
Encrusting corals are characterized by low spreading growth forms that usually adhere to hard rocky surfaces. Growing larger in diameter verses upward like many other forms of coral, encrusting species have a major advantage over their branched relatives. Branching corals are much more susceptible to breakage due to violent storm conditions.