Boulder brain coral
Colpophyllia natans
Sighting evidence at Kelleston Drain, Tobago
Photo: FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute · CC BY-NC-ND
The boulder brain coral at Kelleston Drain is one of the largest verified specimens in the Caribbean, its sinuous maze-like ridges covering over 4 square metres of surface area. Brain corals are among the slowest-growing and longest-lived reef builders, adding just a few millimetres per year and potentially living for more than 900 years. As a massive coral species, they are more thermally resilient than branching corals and serve as critical structural anchors when surrounding corals bleach.
Evidence at this site
No confirmed records on file at this site
Boulder brain coral is listed as a curated species here based on historical reports.