You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience.

Gorgonian Tank

Finger coral

Porites porites

Today's Research for Tomorrow's Oceans

Come visit me at Mote!

Support Mote Animals

Fun Facts

This coral only grows around 1 millimeter a year!

Species Type:

Corals, Invertebrates

Common Name(s):

Finger coral

Size:

Finger coral colonies can grow up to 26.3 feet (8 meters) in height.

Diet:

Using its polyp tentacles, finger coral catch and eat smaller marine organisms that drift by. They also have a special algae—called zooxanthellae– in their tissues that photosynthesize the sun's rays into energy/food.

Range & Habitat:

In the Caribbean Sea and eastern Atlantic Ocean, finger corals inhabit most shallow reef colonies. They will also attach themselves to mangroves.

Details:

As its name suggests, finger coral looks very similar to human fingers. Their branches are thick and pale in color, growing from a densely packed base.