Staghorn Coral, Swim Free and Thrive!

Corals are cnidarians, in the same large family as anemones. There are more than a thousand coral species worldwide, but the best known are the stony corals, like staghorns, which make skeletons of calcium carbonate. What looks like one organism is actually a colony made of tiny coral polyps that look like tiny anemones. Inside each polyp live plant-like cells called zooxanthellae that produce food from sunlight, supplying energy to the coral. In turn, the coral polyp supplies the zooxanthellae with nutrients from the ocean and shelter. It’s these zooxanthellae that are sensitive to the increase in ocean temperatures.

Spawning a Solution

Staghorn Coral NOAA Fisheries

Diving In: Coral Conservation in Biscayne

Coral reefs provide stunning images of a world under assault

Coral Reefs Of Bunaken - Siladen Resort & Spa Indonesia

California Academy of Sciences and Roatán Marine Park Receive $1.5 Million Grant for Coral Restoration in Honduras

Staghorn coral, Acropora sp. Truk lagoon, Chuuk For sale as Framed Prints, Photos, Wall Art and Photo Gifts

Soft Corals: Over 78,278 Royalty-Free Licensable Stock Photos

Reducing nutrient pollution helps coral resist bleaching

Cnidarians Shape of Life

Why there are so few fish in the sea

Hope for Corals in Crisis – Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

Restoring Coral Reefs