Corals Raised at The Florida Aquarium are Outplanted to Help Save Florida’s Coral Reef

Recently, our coral biologists relocated 560 corals at an offshore reef site near Long Key, FL, in our continued efforts to help restore Florida’s Coral Reef. Including four species - boulder brain (Colpophyllia natans), grooved brain (Diploria labyrinthiformis), symmetrical brain (Pseudodiploria strigosa) and spiny flower (Mussa angulosa) – all corals were bred and raised at The Florida Aquarium’s Center for Conservation. The team spent three days at the site under near perfect conditions. With incredible weather and fantastic underwater visibility, we were able to find an ideal site on Tennessee Reef.

All corals are offspring from parent colonies collected as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Florida Reef Tract Rescue Project, led by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and NOAA Fisheries. These juvenile corals, between 20 and 24 months old, were raised from larvae produced during Aquarium spawning events conducted at the Center for Conservation in 2020.

Activities were conducted under permit in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

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