Hard Corals - Tropical Reef Guide
Brain Coral | Staghorn Coral | Table Coral | Fire Coral
The skeleton of hard corals is made of calcium carbonate (limestone) whereas soft corals have skeleton made of protein. Hard corals grow in colonies and are hermatypes or reef-building corals. Hard coral polyps live symbiotically with tiny photosynthetic algae called zooxanthellae. As the polyps grow, they produce limestone for their skeletons, which eventually become rocks. When they die, their skeletons are left behind and used by new colony of polyps as foundations to build their skeletons.
Quick Links - Marine Life - Tropical Reef Guide
Liveaboards to the Mergui Archipelago and Burma Banks
|
