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What is Brain Coral?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Brain coral is a type of stony coral which is named after its unusual appearance. As brain coral grows, it develops a rounded surface covered in deep meandering ridges and grooves, causing it to look eerily like a brain. This coral can be found in warm, shallow waters in many parts of the world, most notably in Australia's Great Barrier Reef. Like many other species of coral, brain coral is in danger due to changes in the marine environment, many of which have been brought about by human activity.

Like other corals, brain coral is not a single organism. Instead, it is a colony of individuals known as polyps. The polyps band together and slowly build a calcium carbonate skeleton. Each species builds a slightly different style of skeleton, which explains why corals are so physically diverse, and in fact several species including polyps in the Meandrina and Diploria genera build brain-like skeletons. Brain coral's hard layers of calcium carbonate explain why it is known as a “stony” coral.

Brain coral grows in warm, shallow water, like the water around the Great Barrier Reef.
Brain coral grows in warm, shallow water, like the water around the Great Barrier Reef.

This coral is a major player when it comes to reef building. Brain coral develops extremely slowly, sinking resources into developing a very strong skeleton and base. This means that the coral is difficult to dislodge, so it will endure turbulence, hurricanes, and other threats. Once brain coral establishes itself, it can provide shelter for other corals and organisms, contributing over time to the development of a true coral reef.

The Great Barrier Reef is off the coast of Queensland, Australia.
The Great Barrier Reef is off the coast of Queensland, Australia.

Most brain corals reproduce by “broadcasting” sperm and ova. The polyps in the coral simply release their sperm and ova into the water, counting on currents to bring reproductive material close enough to create a gamete, which then drifts through the ocean until it finds a spot to settle and start a new brain coral colony.

The polyps in brain coral have a number of food sources. They can feed on the algae which exist symbiotically with them, growing inside the sheltering grooves of the coral, and they can also use sweeper tentacles to trap passing free-floating organisms. When threatened, the polyps retract their tentacles into the grooves of the coral so that they cannot be eaten by predators or destroyed by turbulent waters. The organisms also use their tentacles to clean house now and then, removing accumulated sand and other materials.

Because this coral takes so long to grow, it should always be appreciated in situ. Harvesting brain coral almost always kills it, unless the harvesting is performed by a trained professional, and the loss of a brain coral can be a blow for a reef. For the same reason, divers should be careful around brain coral and other corals to prevent damage which could kill the coral or inhibit its growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is brain coral?

Brain coral is a common name for a group of coral species that exhibit a grooved surface resembling the folds of a human brain. These corals are part of the family Mussidae and are primarily found in shallow warm-water coral reefs. They are important reef builders, contributing to the complex structure of coral reefs which support diverse marine ecosystems.

How does brain coral contribute to the ecosystem?

Brain coral plays a crucial role in marine ecosystems by providing habitat and shelter for numerous marine organisms. As a reef-building coral, it contributes to the formation and stability of coral reefs, which are among the most biodiverse and productive ecosystems on Earth. Coral reefs also protect coastlines from erosion and support fishing and tourism industries.

What is the lifespan of brain coral?

Brain corals are known for their longevity, with some individuals living for hundreds of years. Their slow growth rate, typically just a few millimeters per year, contributes to their long lifespan. This slow growth makes them particularly vulnerable to threats such as climate change and pollution, which can have significant impacts over their extended lifetimes.

How do brain corals reproduce?

Brain corals can reproduce both sexually and asexually. In sexual reproduction, they release sperm and eggs into the water column during synchronized spawning events, leading to the fertilization of eggs and the development of free-swimming larvae. Asexually, they can reproduce through fragmentation, where pieces broken off from the main colony can grow into new colonies.

What are the main threats to brain coral populations?

Brain coral populations face several threats, including climate change, ocean acidification, pollution, overfishing, and destructive fishing practices. Rising sea temperatures can cause coral bleaching, where corals expel the symbiotic algae living in their tissues, leading to weakened corals and potential death. Ocean acidification can also erode their calcium carbonate skeletons, compromising reef structures.

Can brain coral be found in aquariums, and how are they maintained?

Brain corals can be found in home and public aquariums, where they are appreciated for their intriguing appearance. Maintaining brain coral in an aquarium requires stable water conditions, with appropriate salinity, temperature, and pH levels, along with moderate lighting and water flow. Caretakers must also ensure a supply of calcium and other minerals necessary for the coral's skeletal growth.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a AllThingsNature researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a AllThingsNature researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon990799

I couldn't find good information for brain coral anywhere! Thanks!

anon273590

Beware though, as there are brain corals as well as stoney and non stoney corals that are also a single organism. Case in point: Trachyphyllia geoffroyi or the folded brain. Other singular organism corals are most plate corals, mushroom corals, and scolymia lps corals.

anon52365

This is really going to help me on my term paper!

anon52252

good job on the article!

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    • Brain coral grows in warm, shallow water, like the water around the Great Barrier Reef.
      By: StrangerView
      Brain coral grows in warm, shallow water, like the water around the Great Barrier Reef.
    • The Great Barrier Reef is off the coast of Queensland, Australia.
      By: Tupungato
      The Great Barrier Reef is off the coast of Queensland, Australia.