6 SCAVENGER HUNT
GREAT STAR CORAL MONTASTRAEA CAVERNOSA
CONSERVATION STATUS: Least concerned DESCRIPTION: This stunning and iconic reef coral forms massive boulders of bright and colourful fleshy polyps and has been recorded at depths of almost 300 feet, yet most occupy depths between 30 - 90 feet. This species can tolerate ‘muddy’ and silty water given it has high sediment rejection capabilities due to its shape and long tentacles, which can ‘sweep’ to remove accumulated debris on the coral’s surface. Using these tentacles, this coral is also particularly aggressive in its defense of space, which is a commodity on coral reefs!