Porous Sea Rod (Pseudoplexaura porosa)

These soft corals undergo mass spawning events about 5-6 days after each of the summer’s full moons. Both sexes (yes, they have a gender) eject gametes for about 30 minutes, allowing them to combine in the water column. Some studies have shown that their ability to reproduce is based on size, as only colonies larger than 50cm have been observed to participate in this synchronized lunar activity.

KNOW YOUR CORALS! Bermuda Edition

Truth be told, fire corals (Millepora alcicornis) are not really a coral at all. They contain nematocysts, or stinging cells, that burn like all get out if you even just brush against one. Luckily fire corals are distinguishable by the branching arms and visible little hairs growing from their “fingers.” Unluckily (for divers), they are abundant in Bermuda reefs at depths of up to 40 meters.

KNOW YOUR CORALS! Bermuda Edition

Mustard Hill Coral (Porites astreoides) is identifiable by its mustard-yellow color and lumpy surface. It grows as a sort of mat, with the overall area being more “flat” than the hemispherical brain corals. They are one of the most abundant species in Bermuda and can be found in the shallow inshore reefs between 1-15 meters.

KNOW YOUR CORALS! Bermuda Edition

The sea fan (Gorgonia ventalina) is a filter feeder, so it has evolved a unique coral shape in order to maximize the amount of surface area in contact with the water. They are most commonly purple in color, but some rarer forms will exhibit yellow or brown tissues. The sea fan can live in many environments and depths and is found in abundance around Caribbean and Bermudian reefs.

KNOW YOUR CORALS! Bermuda Edition

As you can see, grooved brain coral (Diploria labyrinthiformis) is distinguishable by its double ridges on either side of a central canal. They are otherwise incredibly similar to D. strigosa, with both species being yellow, hemispherical, offshore corals that usually grow between 1-30 meters deep.

KNOW YOUR CORALS! Bermuda Edition

Single-Grooved Brain Corals (Diploria strigosa) are easily identified since they look like, well, brains. Healthy individuals are a bright to dark yellow and can become quite pale when stressed. To distinguish these from their (nearly identical) brother D. labyrinthiformis, simply look at how the grooves are formed: D. strigosa has only a single ridge that makes the distinct “brain” pattern. Most are found at depths of 1-30 meters, but there have been recorded sightings at up to 47m.