Species · GBIF taxon 2260050
Great Star Coral
Montastraea cavernosaAlso known as Large Star Coral, Cavernous Star Coral
Great star coral forms massive, enduring boulders and plates that serve as foundational pillars of Caribbean reefs. During the day, the colony resembles a surface of tightly packed, crater-like cups, but at night, thumb-sized polyps emerge to capture passing plankton. Some colonies exhibit striking fluorescent green or orange hues under specialized lighting, showcasing their symbiotic relationship with microscopic algae.
NocturnalReef-BuildingMarine
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Zooplankton
- Microscopic organic particles
Predators
- Bearded fireworm
- Parrotfish
- Coral-eating snails
ThreatsStony coral tissue loss disease, coral bleaching, and ocean acidification
HabitatsCoral reefs, rocky subtidal zones, and deep reef slopes
Life spanCenturies
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyMontastraeidae
- SpeciesMontastraea cavernosa
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Delicate living tissue is easily damaged by touch; maintain neutral buoyancy to avoid contact.
- What to notice
- Look for large, distinct, raised circular polyps resembling craters on boulder or plate-like structures.
- Support conservation
- Never touch the colony, anchor nearby, or kick up sediment that can smother the polyps.
Responsible observation
- Night Diving: Watch the large, thumb-sized polyps fully expand to feed under a dive light.
- Buoyancy Control: Secure all gear and maintain a safe distance to prevent scraping the colony.
- Look for Fluorescence: Use a blue light at night to see some colonies glow bright green or orange.
Image unavailableCompetitor 
Predator no rights reserved · cc0
Close Relative (c) Sara Lovotti, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Sara Lovotti · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Pauline Walsh Jacobson, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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