Invertebrate
Pillar Coral
Dendrogyra cylindrusAlso known as Cigar Coral, Finger Coral
Pillar corals form striking, vertical columns that resemble fingers or cigars rising from the seafloor. Unlike most other hard corals, their fuzzy, hair-like polyps remain extended during the day, giving the columns a soft, velvety appearance. These slow-growing structures provide critical three-dimensional habitat for reef fish and invertebrates in the shallow waters of the Caribbean.
MarineReef-Building
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Critically EndangeredConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXCritically EndangeredRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyMicroscopic Plankton, Dissolved Organic Matter
Predators
- Bearded Fireworm
- Spotfin Butterflyfish
- Stoplight Parrotfish
ThreatsStony coral tissue loss disease, ocean warming, bleaching, and physical storm damage
HabitatsShallow coral reefs, flat or sloping carbonate seabeds
Life spanHundreds of years
Classification
- FamilyMeandrinidae
- SpeciesDendrogyra cylindrus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance; do not touch to protect the fragile polyps.
- What to notice
- Look for tall, unbranched vertical pillars with a fuzzy, golden-brown velvet texture from daytime polyps.
- Support conservation
- Never touch, anchor near, or kick up sediment around these fragile, slow-growing colonies.
Responsible observation
- Maintain buoyancy: Keep a safe distance of at least two meters to avoid accidental contact with fins.
- Look for polyps: Observe during the day to see the unique, fuzzy appearance of extended feeding polyps.
- Report sightings: Document colonies to help researchers track the spread of stony coral tissue loss disease.
Frequent Companion (c) U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Region, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Frequent Companion Nhobgood Nick Hobgood / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Competitor (c) mtracewell, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by mtracewell · cc-by
Image unavailableClose Relative
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?
Checking your Fauna account…Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.