Big Momma | National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa

Species/Subject: Species/Subject
Attribution: Attribution
Site: NMSAS Site

A large yellow boulder coral with small fish swimming above it.

Up close inspection of the surface on Big Momma shows some small bite marks likely from reef fish such as parrotfish, which share a healthy symbiotic relationship.

Species/Subject: Big Momma (Porites lutea)
Attribution: V. Brown/NOAA
Site: Ta'u

A scuba diver swims nearby a large, dome-shaped coral underwater highlighting the immense size of the coral. Sunlight filters through the clear blue water, illuminating the reef and marine life surrounding the coral.

A large, dome-shaped coral known as "Big Momma" dominates the underwater scene in the National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa. A scuba diver swims nearby, highlighting the immense size of the coral. Sunlight filters through the clear blue water, illuminating the reef and marine life surrounding the coral.

Species/Subject: Big Momma (Porites lutea)
Attribution: Wendy Cover/NOAA
Site: Ta'u

A massive, dome-shaped coral formation known as Big Momma rises from the ocean floor, surrounded by a vibrant coral reef. A scuba diver swims nearby, highlighting the coral’s immense size in the clear blue waters.

"Big Momma" is one of the oldest and largest known coral colonies in the world. Located in the Taʻū unit of National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa, it's a massive Porites lutea coral colony. This type of coral grows very slowly, sometimes as little as 0.39 inches (1 centimeter) per year. This means that large colonies are among the oldest life forms on earth.

Species/Subject: Big Momma (Porites lutea)
Attribution: XL Catlin Seaview Survey
Site: Ta'u

Large mounding coral takes up the full view of the background with a cauliflower coral perched in the forefront. The surface of the water can be seen at the top of the image.

Species/Subject: Big Momma (Porites lutea)
Attribution: Nerelle Moffitt
Site: Ta'u

A diver swims away over the top of a massive boulder coral.

Species/Subject: Big Momma (Porites lutea)
Attribution:
Site: Ta'u

Species/Subject: Big Momma (Porites lutea)
Attribution: South Florida PBS/Changing Seas
Site: Ta'u

Species/Subject: Big Momma (Porites lutea)
Attribution:
Site: Ta'u

Two divers swim to the right of a massive coral that is too large to be contained in the photo. A variety of smaller corals cover the ocean floor. Numerous small fish swim around the coral.

Species/Subject: Big Momma (Porites lutea)
Attribution: Matt McIntosh/NOAA
Site: Ta'u

A close up of the Big Momma boulder coral, with a surgeonfish swimming upwards in the foreground, and a scuba diver and numerous small fish swimming in the background.

Species/Subject: Big Momma (Porites lutea)
Attribution: Matt McIntosh/NOAA
Site: Ta'u