Massive Corals

Massive corals may not always be massive in size, but they are always shaped like a very round and rocky ball or dome! Although massive corals may look similar in shape, the patterns on their surface, which are formed by their coral polyps, can look very different from one another. Some have cup-like patterns, while others look more like human brains!

Massive corals have adopted a “slow and steady wins the race” approach to life! Although they grow relatively slowly, they are very resilient and can continue growing steadily even when they are stressed by factors such as higher temperatures. This is because massive corals are pretty self-sufficient – instead of relying heavily on their algae buddies to produce food for them by photosynthesis, these prudent corals tend to set aside some energy to tide themselves over tough times. That’s why even as the ocean gets warmer due to climate change, massive corals have continued to flourish while other coral species have floundered!

Today, massive corals make up the majority of the corals in Singapore’s coral reefs. However, they support fewer reef organisms than other coral species. Thus, Singapore’s coral reefs could sadly become less diverse with time if we do not take sufficient action to combat climate change or help our coral reefs.