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.

Reducing nutrient pollution helps coral resist bleaching

Elkhorn coral Stock Photos, Royalty Free Elkhorn coral Images

Reef Refugia - bioGraphic

Florida's coral reef is dying. Only one thing can save it. - Vox

Diving In: Coral Conservation in Biscayne

Restoring Coral Reefs

Half-and-half Chromis and Elegant Unicornfish swim over breathtaking corals, Underwater Stock Video

Staghorn Coral NOAA Fisheries

Reef-friendly Tips — Guam Coral Reef Initiative