Great Star Coral

Montestrea cavernosa

Great Star Coral colonies can be found in water as shallow as 3 feet but most often deeper than 8 feet. They are easy to distinguish from othe star corals because of the large coral polyps.  Polyps can be either extended or retracted during the day. The colony structure is usually a round or dome shape. You can find them growing on a sandy bottom or along rocky shorelines but they can also encrust a flat surface or sides of walls.  Their color can range from dark brown to lime green with centers often a contrasting or bright color.