What might you find in a coral?

Healthy coral reefs are filled with lush coral growth. Healthy coral reefs have rounded or branching masses. Many of the coral formations resemble branching trees and large domes.

The coral is rich in color because of the algae (zooxanthellae) that live in the coral tissures provide sugars that the coral needs for nutrition. They are often rich tan, orange, purple, and green in color.

Colorful reef fish swim in and around the coral reef. Sea animals such as sea anemonies, sea jellies, sea urchins, and sponges also live there.