Species Type:
Corals, Invertebrates
Common Name(s):
Grooved brain coral
Size:
Grooved brain coral colonies can grow as large as 3-7 feet (1-2 meters) in diameter.
Diet:
Using the stinging cells in its tentacles, grooved brain coral will catch smaller marine organisms that drift by. Coral also have a special algae—called zooxanthellae– in their tissues that photosynthesize the sun's rays into energy/food.
Range & Habitat:
Widespread through the Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico and western Atlantic Ocean, this coral can be found in shallow areas with plentiful access to sunlight.
Details:
This coral’s intricate pattern gives it an unmistakable appearance with deep grooves, bumpy ridges and channels. This coral is circular and can be yellow, gray or tan in color. Brain corals grow slowly, adding only about 1 cm per year to their size.