Coral Reef: The untold story

Coral Reef: The untold story.

The coral reef is an underwater eco-system of fish and other fauna. These amazing underwater formations are formed by coral polyps that are held together by calcium carbonate. For the most part, coral reefs are most commonly formed by stony corals.

These beautiful creatures are actually in the same genus as jellyfish and sea anemones. The classic architects of the sea, coral reefs are a very important part of the ecological systems of the sea. Unlike their cousins, coral reefs secrete a calcium that then hardens and forms a shell.

Coral reefs and the environment.

These beautiful natural structures are incredible to look at. But did you know that they affect our whole way of life on this planet? They protect our shores from erosion and give wonderful spawning grounds for very special sea creatures.

They can also have a profound effect on the co2 levels in our oceans. Most of these reefs grow best in sunny, warm areas in our oceans of the planet. Coral reefs are living things. They help other lifeforms in the oceans to multiply and survive.

These reefs have been around for millions of years. They are actually clones. Clones are sets of identical DNA that form a new version of the original host body. They are all genetically the same living being.

There are two different classifications of corals.

• Stony Corals-These corals have six-sided symmetry.
• Soft Corals- These corals have eight.

In soft corals, there are no skeletal structures present. However, the tissues are usually strengthed by tiny skeletal structures. Soft corals are very colonial. Meaning, they are in much tighter groupings than stony corals.

Stony corals are much different in they are solid in structure. The mouths of these polyps are surrounded by a ring of tentacles. In these types of corals, they are cylindrical and come to a point. In most corals, the tentacles spread out during the day and retract at night.

In soft corals, they are stubby and spikey in shape.

The fine dining of the Coral Reef.

Yes, these wondrous creatures do have a refined palate. What do they eat? Believe it or not, they can eat anything from zooplankton to small fish. They stun and immobilize their prey with a type of venom. The venom is released at the slightest touch of another living organism.

When another creature gets to close, a flap opens up and the coral shoots a venomous barb into the unsuspecting prey. The venom stuns the prey and renders it immobile. The tentacles can then maneuver the prey into the stomach sack of the coral.