Twelve 3 + 3 quadrats on the reef slope at Curacao were photographically surveyed at 8-10 month intervals over a period of 5 yr. Data analysis shows cover to be a very stable characteristic, however the reef habitats appeared to be unstable with respect to spatial arrangement. Both change in cover and spatial change appear to be more significant in shallower depths of 10 and 20m. Life history phenomena of coral species (Scleractinia) such as recruitment, survival, and mortality are indicated by differences in magnitude of spatial time as well as differences in the rate of mortality of colonies of the various coral species.