Divers documented an enormous Porites rus coral colony at Maug in 2025, with a top more than 31 metres (about 100 feet) across and a base about 62 metres (roughly 200 feet) wide. The colony’s age is estimated at more than about 2,050 years, not established by direct dating. Those colony-specific figures come from The Daily Galaxy’s April 1, 2026 report; NOAA confirms the survey visited Maug but does not give this colony’s dimensions or age in its 2025 survey account.
How large is the Maug coral colony?
The Daily Galaxy reports the colony’s top is more than 31 metres (about 100 feet) across and its base is about 62 metres (roughly 200 feet) wide. It also reports an area of roughly 1,347 square metres (14,500 square feet). The accessible report does not explain how that area was measured, so it should be treated as an approximate reported figure rather than a precisely surveyed footprint.
The Daily Galaxy says divers documented the colony during 2025 National Coral Reef Monitoring Program surveys. According to the article, the colony was locally known but had not been formally measured before that survey. Its account attributes the difficulty of measuring it to dive safety restrictions, quoting NOAA chief scientist Thomas Oliver: “This coral was so big, we actually couldn’t easily measure it due to dive safety restrictions,” The quotation is reproduced as The Daily Galaxy presented it; NOAA’s survey feature does not independently confirm the quote or the measurements.
Is it really older than ancient civilizations?
The Daily Galaxy reports an age estimate above about 2,050 years, based on a rough outward growth rate of about one centimetre per year. That is an inference from size and an assumed average rate, not a direct measurement of this colony’s growth over time. The comparison with ancient civilizations is therefore a possibility, not a precisely established timeline.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →#1 Best Overall
- Size: Great for fish tank decorations, also good for model making and marine aquariums. Packing Included: Coral Mountain x 1, Aquatic Plant x 4.
- Material: Gorgeous colorful aquarium coral reef set is made of high quality resin, no any harmless to humans and your fish. It will not release any harmful substances even if placed in water for long.
- Solid one-piece construction: This resin coral reef designed with one-piece construction, not easy to broke. There are some sea anemones and starfish on that mountain as decorations, it will be a nice scenery for your tanks.
- Good for your fish: There are three holes on our coral rock, which is designed as a toy for your pet betta or other small fishes. They will be happy to swim across the hole when they want to play. And as they tired, the coral reef will be the nice place for their rest.
- Easy to collocate: You can easily use the coral mountain with something else to create a favorite environment for your fishes as your expectation. Such as making an ocean paradise by collocate with an ocean sunken ship and so on.
The article says Porites rus does not produce the clear growth bands used to estimate the age of some corals. It attributes this explanation to NOAA monitoring-program scientist Hannah Barkley: “It is difficult to tell the true age of this coral because it doesn’t produce growth bands like other corals,” The available NOAA feature does not independently verify this quotation or supply a colony-specific age. Without direct dating or a confirmed growth history, the reported age should be understood as approximate.
Where is Maug, and what makes its reefs notable?
Maug is part of the Mariana Archipelago. NOAA’s account of its 2025 coral reef survey confirms that the team visited Maug while surveying reefs and ocean chemistry at multiple islands in the archipelago.
Rank #2
- Package Content: You will receive 1 piece of white aquarium corals decoration, which is 14 cm/5.51 inch long, 5 cm/1.96 inch wide and 12.5 cm/4.92 inch high, which can meet your multi-scene decoration needs.
- Reliable Material: This coral decoration is made of resin with fine workmanship, shatterproof, durable, can withstand humid environment, will not harm fish, and can be used for a long time.
- Realistic Design: The lifelike coral appearance design creates a vibrant underwater landscape, provides fish with a hiding place with a natural ocean atmosphere, and enhances the visual appeal of fish tanks and aquariums.
- Easy Maintenance: This fish tank coral decorations are easy to clean, just wipe or soak in warm water, it can keep its shape permanently and keep your landscape beautiful continuously.
- Wide Applications: This coral ornament is perfect for small to medium aquarium decorations, fish tank landscape decorations, underwater party centerpieces and other glass container decorations, etc.
At Maug Caldera, underwater volcanic vents release carbon dioxide and lower the pH of nearby water. NOAA Fisheries reports that 22 years of routine surveys found significantly reduced coral cover and diversity in nearby communities, with the effects localized. The Daily Galaxy places the giant colony a few hundred metres outside the most affected area, but NOAA’s feature does not confirm that distance or the colony’s position relative to the affected zones.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Fish Tank Accessories includes: 2 pieces resin coral aquarium decorations and 6 Pieces aquarium plants (2.2 - 4.9 inch, including green, pink, purple and orange).
- All fish tank plants with pedestal: every fish tank plant in this set has a pedestal at the bottom, heavy and firm, and with the pedestal, those plants will not float around in the aquarium.
- This corals are made of resin, non-toxic and safe. The plastic plants are made of soft and healthy material, no harm to water and fish.It is good for both fresh and salt water, do not affect the PH in the tank.
- Wide range of usage: In order to save your time, we match a variety of styles, sizes and colors of aquarium products which can be placed in different sizes of aquarium Decorations, house, office and other places of Fish Tank, aquarium. Bring your pet fish a beautiful underwater world, more interesting, and happier life. It's an amusement park for them.
- Please soak the fish tank decorations in water for 10-15 minutes before using. If you receive the broken item, feel free to contact with us please.
Rank #4
- Fish Tank Accessories includes: 2 pieces resin coral aquarium decor and 10 Pieces Aquarium Decorations Plants Plastic (2.2 - 7.9 inch, including green, red, white, purple and orange).
- With different styles and sizes, you can decorate you fish tank according to your creativity.
- All Aquarium plants with pedestal: every fish tank plants in this set has a pedestal at the bottom, heavy and firm, and with the pedestal, those plants will not float around in the aquarium.
- This corals are made of resin, non-toxic and safe. The plastic plants are made of soft and healthy material, no harm to water and fish.It is ideal for both fresh and salt water, do not affect the PH in the tank.
- Please soak the fish tank decorations in water for 10-15 minutes before using. If you receive the broken item, feel free to contact with us please.
Rank #3
- Complete 35-Piece Ocean Reef Decor Set Transform your aquarium with this 35-piece ocean-style decoration set, featuring artificial coral, flowing aquarium plants, seashell accents, anemone-style ornaments, and a starfish detail. The variety of shapes and colors helps create a rich underwater scene with a full coral reef look.
- Ocean Style for Freshwater, Tropical, and Saltwater Tanks Designed with a coral reef theme, this aquarium decor set is ideal for freshwater aquariums, tropical fish tanks, and saltwater displays. It brings an eye-catching marine-inspired look to different tank setups while helping you create a more colorful and layered aquascape.
- Creates Depth, Height, and Visual Impact With tall background plants, a large statement coral centerpiece, and small accent pieces for the foreground, this fish tank decorations set makes it easy to build a balanced layout. Use it to add height, texture, and dimension to small and medium aquarium displays.
- Easy to Arrange for Custom Tank Layouts This aquarium decorations set includes multiple sizes and shapes, making it easy to arrange around gravel, substrate, and other tank accessories. Whether you want a reef-inspired centerpiece or a full ocean-themed display, the pieces can be positioned to fit your preferred layout.
- A Fast and Low-Maintenance Tank Upgrade Refresh the look of your aquarium without the hassle of sourcing separate decorative pieces. This coral reef aquarium decor kit offers a convenient way to build a vibrant underwater display and is a great choice for anyone looking to upgrade fish tank decor with a coordinated ocean theme.
What the report establishes—and what remains uncertain
- Identified coral: The Daily Galaxy identifies the colony as Porites rus.
- Reported scale: The article gives dimensions exceeding 31 metres across the top and about 62 metres at the base, plus an approximate area of 1,347 square metres. NOAA’s survey feature confirms the regional survey and Maug visit, not these measurements.
- Estimated age: The figure above about 2,050 years is based on assumed growth, not a precise date for the colony.
- Environmental setting: NOAA documents carbon-dioxide vents and localized effects on coral cover and diversity at Maug; it does not establish the giant colony’s exact distance from the vents or affected area.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
