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:
The grooved brain coral gets its name from its striking resemblance to a human brain, with deep grooves, dumpy ridges and channels. This coral is circular and yellow, gray or tan in color.