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Life Cycle of Brain Coral

Brain corals have a remarkable resemblance to the human brain. There are two types, the smooth brain coral and the grooved brain coral, the latter having more defined ridges. Both grow in densely populated colonies at an average of 5mm per year.

  1. Swimming Stage

    • Brain coral polyps start out no bigger in size than a pin's head; they begin in a free-swimming, larval stage.

    Taking Root

    • Eventually, the polyp will sink to the ocean bottom, settling on any hard surface, including rocks and other corals.

    Sexual Maturity

    • Brain corals grow slower than branch corals, taking an average of eight years to become sexually mature.

    Genders

    • Polyps can be male, female, hermaphroditic or asexual (having no reproductive traits at all).

    Reproduction

    • Brain corals are considered broadcasters (organisms employing external fertilization) because the polyps release both eggs and sperms into the ocean waters to mix and be fertilized.

    Skeletal Remains

    • Brain coral is a hard coral. When the polyp dies, the skeleton remains, forming supports for the next generation of polyps that float down to the ocean floor.

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