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Coral Biology

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Corals are small animals (polyps) that are closely related to sea anemones and jellyfish.

Most corals create colonies, by growing a large rocky skeleton that we see as a solid coral rock. The soft bodied polyps live in the outer edge of this skeleton, on top of the empty skeletons of previous generations. Only the outer layer of a coral boulder is alive.

Coral Reef Biology



The skeleton made by the polyps is white (calcium carbonate). Corals get their wide range of colours from single-cells plants (symbiotic algae called Zooxanthellae) living in the skin of the corals.


Illustration showing coral skeleton from “Corals of the World” by Jen Veron
ISBN 0-642-32236-8 Painting by Geoff Kelly

Corals of the World, Vol. 1, 2, 3 (in Slip Cover)


 


For more Butterflyfish information:

A Guide to Angelfishes and Butterflyfishes
Author: Gerald R Allen, Roger Steene, Mark Allen.
ISBN 0-9661720-1-9

 

Reef Fish Identification - Tropical Pacific
Author: Gerald Allen, Roger Steene, Paul Human
ISBN: 978-1878348364

Reef Fishes of the World
Authors: ieske and Myers,
ISBN: 978-0691089959

 

Coral Reef Animals of the Indo-Pacific

Author: Terrence M. Gosliner, David W. Behrens

ISBN: 978-0930118211

 

Marine Life of Fiji and Tonga: A Video Identification Guide

Josh Jensen and Liz Harlin


More Butterflyfish Info

Butterflyfish Biology Butterflyfish Lifestyle
Butterflyfish Feeding
Coral Biology
Butterflyfish Pairing
Coral Growth Forms

 


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