Coral spawning dates 2011 and observations from 2010
Based on last year's surveys a prediction is now available of expected times and dates that some of the more abundant Caribbean coral species will release the next generation of corals during the annual coral spawning. The dates are only applicable to the Southern Caribbean. Be aware that the coral spawning is becoming more difficult to predict each year and that this schedule of estimated spawning times provides no guarantees. To see the 2011-spawning prediction for the Southern Caribbean, click here.
So far the following observations have been made on Curacao in August and September 2010
August 25 20h00-23h00: nothing
August 26 20h00-23h00: <5% of Acropora palmata colonies released gametes between 21h15-22h00; Palythoa caribaeorum released gametes at the same time.
August 27 20h00-23h00: approx. 10% of Acropora palmata colonies released gametes between 21h15-22h00; Palythoa caribaeorum released gametes at the same time.
August 28 20h00-23h00: <5% of Acropora palmata colonies released gametes between 21h30-22h00
August 29 20h00-23h00: nothing
September 2 21h00-23h00: Brittle stars spawned (22h00-23h00) and Eusmilia fastigiata released planulae (21h00-23h00)
September 26 20h00-23h00: Spirobranchus giganteus released gametes (21h00-22h30)
September 27 20h00-23h00: <2% of Montastraea faveolata colonies released gametes between 21h40-21h55
August 26 20h00-23h00: <5% of Acropora palmata colonies released gametes between 21h15-22h00; Palythoa caribaeorum released gametes at the same time.
August 27 20h00-23h00: approx. 10% of Acropora palmata colonies released gametes between 21h15-22h00; Palythoa caribaeorum released gametes at the same time.
August 28 20h00-23h00: <5% of Acropora palmata colonies released gametes between 21h30-22h00
August 29 20h00-23h00: nothing
September 2 21h00-23h00: Brittle stars spawned (22h00-23h00) and Eusmilia fastigiata released planulae (21h00-23h00)
September 26 20h00-23h00: Spirobranchus giganteus released gametes (21h00-22h30)
September 27 20h00-23h00: <2% of Montastraea faveolata colonies released gametes between 21h40-21h55
September 28 20h00-23h00: <2% of Montastraea faveolata colonies released gametes between 21h40-21h55, Siderastrea siderea males released gametes between 22h05-22h15
September 29 20h00-23h00: ~15% of Montastraea annularis colonies released gametes between 21h40-22h20
September 30 20h00-23h00: one Montastraea franksi colony spawned at 20h55; ~30% of Montastraea faveolata colonies released gametes between 21h55-22h20, ~5% of Montastraea annularis colonies released gametes between 21h55-22h20, Stephanocoenia intersepta released eggs between 22h00-23h00 and Eusmilia fastigiata released planulae (21h00-23h00)
Some impressions from 2010:
Acropora palmata releasing gamete bundles
Palythoa caribaeorum releasing gametes
Male brittle stars releasing sperm
Spirobranchus giganteus releasing gametes
Montastraea faveolata colonies releasing gamete bundles
Stephanocoenia intersepta releasing eggs
Eusmilia fastigiata releasing planulae