The Reef Institute

No two colonies look exactly the same. 🪸

This is Mycetophyllia aliciae, commonly known as knobby cactus coral, in our living coral biobank.

In these close-up photos, you can see how much variation can exist within a single coral species. The ridges, folds, colors, and shapes can shift from one colony to the next, giving each coral its own distinct appearance.

Some have softer tones, others show more contrast, and each one reveals a different pattern up close.

These small differences are part of what makes caring for a living coral biobank so meaningful. It gives us the opportunity to observe and maintain a diversity of corals, not just by species, but by the individual colonies themselves.

Together, we save the ocean!

Peanut Island is a special place for us. 🪸

For years, our team has been monitoring corals in this area and learning from the colonies that continue to live there. Peanut Island is a busy, urban marine environment, with tourism, boat traffic, and changing conditions all part of the surrounding landscape.

That is part of what makes these corals so interesting. Scientists have studied corals from places like this because they can offer insight into how some colonies persist in challenging, human-influenced environments.

At The Reef Institute, Peanut Island is also connected to our living coral biobank. Some of the rescue corals in our care came from this area, and we have even had rescued corals from Peanut Island spawn in our lab.

These photos are a reminder that important coral stories are not only found on remote reefs. Sometimes, they are happening right in our own backyard!

A closer look at pillar coral. 🪸

This is pillar coral, scientifically known as Dendrogyra cylindrus, in our living coral biobank.

Pillar coral is known for its tall, column-like shape, but up close, you can see something even more delicate: its tentacles extending from the living tissue. These tiny details are a reminder that corals are living animals, not rocks or plants.

Pillar coral is currently listed as endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. In Florida, this species has suffered major declines, making careful care and observation especially important.

In our living coral biobank, close-up moments like this help us share the detail, beauty, and importance of the corals we care for.

Together, we save the ocean.

A little coral “manicure” goes a long way. 🪸

As juvenile corals grow in our living coral biobank, their plugs can collect algae and buildup around the base. When needed, we use brushes and other tools to carefully clean around each coral to help keep the area clear and give it more open space as it continues to grow.

Headlamps help us see the smallest details more clearly, allowing us to work with precision around each coral plug. This lets us be meticulous while avoiding direct contact with the coral.

Small maintenance steps like this are part of the routine care for juvenile corals in our living coral biobank!

Photos of our staff and students during our High School Marine Science and Conservation Program.

Together we save the ocean!

Coral Reef Conservation Through Collaboration! 🪸🌎

The Reef Institute recently traveled to San Andrés, Colombia, to partner with the Blue Indigo Foundation and support the development of its living coral biobank.

A local coral biobank helps safeguard coral genetics while supporting restoration, education, and conservation of San Andrés’ reefs.

After months of planning with support from AGRRA and CORDAP, our team partnered with Blue Indigo on aquarium setup, lighting, live rock collection, water chemistry education, and troubleshooting water supply challenges.

We also learned from Blue Indigo’s coral outplanting techniques and approach to in-water nurseries, visited restoration sites, saw thriving elkhorn coral colonies, and learned about their on-land probiotic studies.

This effort was also made possible through the support of the McPike-Zima Foundation, which helped equip Blue Indigo’s coral biobank and laboratory.

Coral reef conservation is about sharing knowledge, learning from one another, and building stronger solutions together.

Together, we save the ocean! 🩵
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¡Conservación de arrecifes de coral a través de la colaboración! 🪸🌎

The Reef Institute viajó recientemente a San Andrés, Colombia, para colaborar con la Fundación Blue Indigo y apoyar su biobanco de corales vivos.

Un biobanco local ayuda a proteger la genética de los corales y apoya la restauración, educación y conservación de los arrecifes de San Andrés.

Con apoyo de AGRRA y CORDAP, nuestro equipo trabajó junto a Blue Indigo en sistemas de acuarios, iluminación, roca viva, química del agua y soluciones para el suministro de agua.

También aprendimos de sus técnicas de siembra de corales, viveros en el agua, sitios de restauración, colonias de coral cuerno de alce y estudios probióticos en tierra.

Este esfuerzo también fue posible gracias al apoyo de la Fundación McPike-Zima, que ayudó a equipar el biobanco de corales y laboratorio de Blue Indigo.

La conservación de arrecifes se trata de compartir conocimientos, aprender juntos y construir soluciones más sólidas.

¡Juntos, salvamos el océano! 🩵

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Every order also generates a donation to support our mission. Together we help save the ocean!

Up close with Colpophyllia natans, also known as boulder brain coral! 🪸

Boulder brain coral gets its name from the winding grooves and ridges across its surface. These brain-like patterns give the coral its distinctive appearance on the reef.

Those grooves and ridges are more than just a recognizable pattern. Like other stony corals, boulder brain coral grows a calcium carbonate skeleton beneath its soft living tissue. This skeleton gives the coral its shape, helps it stay anchored to the reef, and slowly contributes to the reef’s structure over time.

At The Reef Institute, corals like this remind us that reefs are built by living animals, layer by layer. These skeletons do more than support the coral. They create shelter, hiding places, and habitat for fish, crabs, and countless other reef organisms.

That is what makes stony corals so important: they are living animals that help build the reef systems so much ocean life depends on.

Together, we save the ocean!

Future ocean stewards in action 🌊

Recently, we hosted our High School Marine Science and Conservation Program, giving students the opportunity to explore marine science through hands-on learning and an inside look at coral biology and conservation.

During the lab-based intensive, students worked directly with our team to learn about coral care, restoration techniques, equipment management, and water quality testing. At Peanut Island, students shifted into field research and ecosystem monitoring, gaining real-world experience in a dynamic marine environment and observing wildlife such as manatees and spotted eagle rays.

Across both weeks, students built skills in data collection, teamwork, leadership, and problem solving while developing a stronger foundation in marine science and conservation.

Together, we save the ocean!

This week, we’re taking a closer look at elkhorn coral! 🪸

Elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata) is a species that can be found on shallow reefs throughout Florida and the Caribbean. Its name comes from its large, flattened branches, which can look like elk antlers.

That distinctive shape is part of what makes this species so important. As it grows, elkhorn coral creates complex 3D habitat that provides shelter for fish, crabs, and many other reef organisms. Because it thrives in shallow, high-energy reef environments, its branching structure also contributes to the reef framework that helps buffer wave energy and support coastal protection.

This reef builder is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is one of the coral species we care for in our living coral biobank. Seeing elkhorn coral up close is a reminder that reefs are not flat or simple ecosystems. Their structure matters, and species like elkhorn play a vital role in creating the habitat that supports so much life, both underwater and along our shores.