Tubastraea coccinea (Lesson, 1830), a coral species with high invasive potential, can benefit from the synergistic effects of ocean warming and acidification.

Temperature rise and pH decrease, coupled with increasing maritime traffic, are inducing modifications in the distribution of many exotic species, such as Tubastraea coccinea, a species with high invasive potential recently recorded in the Canary Islands. This study assessed the effect of the expected end-of-century temperature and pH (26 °C and pH 7.50) on this coral species through manipulative laboratory experiments conducted over different time periods (30 days vs. 80 days). The impact of acidification, warming, and time on variables such as weight, buoyant weight, number of new polyps, area, respiration, calcification and reproduction rates were analysed. Results revealed a negative effect of acidification on growth and respiration rates of T. coccinea, with significant differences between experimental treatments in weight, buoyant weight, number of polyps, area, and respired carbon. However, in future, T. coccinea may not be adversely affected by low pH values, as the negative effect is mitigated when colonies are exposed to 26 °C. Using different experimental periods showed how this species' response is liable to change over time under future climate change conditions.