Caribbean Coral Diaries – Dendrogyra cylindrus

Dendrogyra cylindrus

Dendrogyra cylindrus is one of the rarest corals in the Caribbean and is listed as a threatened species under the United States Endangered Species Act. Dendrogyra grows into pillars, spires or columns that can reach 6 feet or (2 m) tall, and is commonly known as the Caribbean Pillar Coral.
One of the reasons Dendrogyra is so rare is that in 30 years only adult colonies have been found. Coral settlement and baby coral recruitment is an important variable which can predict the long-term viability of a species. And, it wasn’t until 2015 when spawning behavior was observed, and juvenile Dendrogyra corals were successfully reared in a lab.

Dendrogyra is found in flat, sheltered locations, ranging from the southern tip of Florida down to Venezuela and Panama. Colonies have encrusting bases which spread across rocks with tall spires growing upwards from the base.
The skeleton of Dendrogyra has meandering valleys similar to the Meandrina corals. Dendrogyra is in the Meandrinidae family with Meandrina, Eusmilia and Dichocoenia, check out our coral identification section for a description of these corals.


During the day, polyps are commonly extended giving Dendrogyra a fuzzy appearance. If the polyps were retracted the colony would have a maze-like appearance.
If you look closely in the photo below you can see the polyps mouth surrounded by tentacles. Dendrogyra is a photosynthetic coral but will catch and feed on zooplankton in the water column.

We found these colonies while diving in La Caleta, Dominican Republic, around 60 feet (18 meters). The reef was slightly silty and dominated by fleshy, large polyp stony corals.
Keep your eyes out on the reef for this distinctive coral, and if you find tiny baby colonies make sure to take lots of pictures and send them our way!