Pocillopora skeleton pigmentation

[tatuvaaj]

Eric,

I would like to know more about this type of pigmentation:




This fragment was in bleach for one week but the colour did not fade at all so it seems it is inorganic (?)

I have had this coral in my tank for several years now, it grows nicely and seems like a very healthy coral. This type of pigmentation seems to appear in lower parts of the coral as it grows upwards.

Thank you in advance!

[tatuvaaj]

Eric,

Welcome back from Chile

[EricHugo]

Thanks. This pigmentation was described a long time ago, and I believe it is iron, but won't swear to it...only in some species of Pocillopora and, apparently, not throughout their range.

[tatuvaaj]

Thanks a lot Eric!

Care to speculate why coral would concentrate iron into the skeleton? Has anyone studied for example the role of iron in Heliopora coerulea?

TIA!