Six Types of Branching Coral One of the first steps to becoming a coral spotter is learning to recognize coral growth forms. An perhaps the most recognizable of them all is branching corals. But even within this recognizable group, there are…
Coral Identification
Learn To Spot Coral Diversity: Large Polyp Corals
Large Polyp Corals Large polyp corals are any hard coral species which have thick fleshy tissue and large corallites over a few centimeters wide. There are even some extra large species with polyps that can reach 10 even 30 centimeters…
Learn To Spot Coral Diversity: Small Polyp Corals
Small Polyp Corals Do you remember how to tell the difference between hard and soft corals? Remember it has to do with the number of tentacles… We explained that hard corals are based on a six fold symmetry meaning they…
Learn To Spot Coral Diversity: Coral Growth Forms
Learn to Spot Coral Growth Forms Corals are the foundation of the marine environment, but the diversity of coral species often gets overlooked. Looking for corals can be overwhelming. There are so many different shapes, sizes and colors to look…
Spot The Difference Between Hard Coral and Soft Coral
The Difference Between Hard and Soft Corals It may seem simple enough, one is soft and one is hard, but can you really spot the different between these two distinct groups of coral? The biggest difference, as the name implies,…
Mystery Corals of the Caribbean: Porites
Now, this is a question I must ask my most serious coral loving colleagues. How to tell the difference between all these Porites corals? *Looking to solve the mystery scroll to the bottom for Mystery corals, first is a description…
Up Close And Personal With Caribbean Coral Macro Photography
Caribbean Coral Macro Photography It’s easy to swim right past coral colonies while scuba diving. Perhaps you notice their shape or stature, but few divers will get up close and personal and start observing corals at a macro level. Depending…
Top 10 Corals to Spot in the Gardens of the Queen, Cuba
Coral Spotting in Cuba Gardens of the Queen, a protected archipelago off the southern coast of Cuba, is renowned for their healthy population of sharks and mature fish. But coral diversity in the park can be just as spectacular, especially…
Scolymia Coral Spotting in the Gardens of the Queen, Cuba
Scolymia Coral Spotting Scolymia is a large polyp coral species that lives a solitary life. There are two species of Caribbean Scolymia, the larger Scolymia lacera, and smaller Scolymia cubensis and you can learn to identify both by clicking the links above. While…
Porites cylindrica Habitat Found Around The Island of Rao
Porites cylindrica Porites, porites, porites, this is a common coral genus found in all the worlds oceans. Porites is a hardy coral growing in a number of forms, and to identify this coral genus you just have to repeat the…