Boulder star is a coral species native to shallow waters in the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico, the Bahamas, Bermuda and Florida. Colonies of boulder star coral usually form massive clumps with uneven surfaces and sometimes they form plates. They are usually orange-brown, greenish-brown or grayish-brown, but the extremities of the lumps are often pale or white. Boulder star coral is listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.
NOAA Fisheries is committed to conserving and protecting boulder star coral. Our scientists and partners use a variety of innovative techniques to study, learn more about, and protect this species.