Great star coral
Montastraea cavernosa
Where at Shedd?
Wild Reef
| Diet | Very small plants and animals including fish and shrimp, organic matter, photosynthesis with symbiotic zooxanthellae |
|---|---|
| Size | Colony diameter: Up to 20 inches (50 cm) |
| Type | Corals & Anemones |
| Range | Coral reefs of the West-Central Atlantic Ocean |
| Habitat | Reefs of Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea from Florida and Bermuda to northern South America |
Did you know?
- The great star coral in this exhibit was collected under permit in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. National marine sanctuaries protect natural and historical marine resources through education, research and management.
- When our excess carbon dioxide enters the water, the ocean becomes more acidic. This harms protective skeleton growth in corals and shell growth in lobsters, crabs and other shellfish.
- Want to help corals in the wild? Joining your community to reduce the use of fossil fuels is one way to keep our excess carbon dioxide out of the ocean and support corals reefs for generations to come.