Coral Reefs: 35 Beautiful Species to Adore
Welcome to the ‘Rainforests of the Ocean’ – one of the most beautiful, diverse and colourful marine habitats across the globe. An underwater body, constructed by calcium carbonate that lines the ocean floor has flourished into an ecosystem that is teeming with coral polyps, billions of colourful algae and impressive sea anemones. This amazing platform has become the exciting home to over 25 percent of all marine species.
Here you can gaze into the blossoming eyes of the Peacock mantis shrimp, receive a colourful smile from the Clown triggerfish or become compelled by the swirls of Christmas tree worms – and together you will sense the marvel of evolution in its brightest and most inspiring forms.
Endangered Corals and Freshwater Organisms
Unfortunately, areas which are home to the richest biodiversity often suffer from the greatest amount of damage and disruption, and the Coral Reefs are one of the many ecosystems on this list. Before looking into the damage caused to this charismatic ecosystem, let’s first concentrate on why the Coral Reefs are so special.
Beauties of the Coral
Coral reefs are essential hot spots for flourishing diversity. Gliding rays, agile multi-coloured fish swimmers and scuttling molluscs are just a few examples of the wide range of animals that use these corals as their homes. So why do these blue waters flow with such magnificence? The answer can be found within the ecosystems nutritional cycle – one of the most efficient across the whole animal kingdom.
Many intricate food webs have evolved to hold a whole array of hosts to deliver food to the top-notch predator, whilst maintaining a perfect balance between its members. In order for this food chain to begin, it always starts with a producer – say hello to the coral’s symbiotic algae. This symbiotic alga flourishes amazingly, providing energy to hundreds of Species that hide and ride between the coral.
Here is a collection of 35 beautiful Species found within the vibrant Coral Reefs stretched around the globe, each only being able to survive so well due to the coral reef’s algae based food chain.
1. Clown Triggerfish (Balistoides conspicillum)
2. Mosaic Sea Star (Plectaster decanus)
3. Queen Angelfish (Holacanthus ciliaris)
4. Winter Anemone
5. Golden Moray Eel (Gymnothorax melatremus)
6. Christmas Tree Worm (Spirobranchus giganteus)
7. Damselfish – Reticulated Dascyllus (Dascyllus reticulatus)
Image Source: Boogies with Fish
Negative Ecological stresses and patterns
Unfortunately this extensive food web that the coral and its entire species depend on are becoming fragmented and exposed to many threats. Unethical fishing techniques that involve the use of dangerous compounds are releasing toxic substances such as cyanide and dynamite into coral waters. This is a dangerous pollutant, causing disruption and toxcitiy to the life that the ecosystem depends on. These fishing methods are constantly effecting the health of reefs – and even some, have been designed to crack open the heads of coral – this stresses nearby coral colonies causing them to expel their symbiotic algae which keeps them alive.
8. Peacock Mantis Shrimp (Odontodactylus scyllarus)
9. Emperor Angelfish (Pomacanthus imperator)
10. Leaf Lettuce Nudibranch
11. Oriental Sweetlips (Plectorhinchus vittatus)
12. Weedy Sea Dragon (Phyllopteryx taeniolatus)
13. Peacock Wrasse (Symphodus tinca)
Image Source: Raimundo Fernandez
14. Atlantic Bobtail (Sepiola atlantica)
Image Source: Raimundo Fernandez
An increase in sea temperature around coral barriers is another stress that these algae have to face. Increase in temperatures, causes the algae to photosynthesize their own food at a much faster rate than normal. The stress of such high demand results in either two dangerous results: 1) the coral popls will consume the algae or 2) the algae will reject its coral host – both ending in the same manner: death of the algae.
15. Bluestripped snapper (Lutjanus kasmira)
16. Red-lined bubble Snail (Bullina lineata)
17. Feather Star (Echinoderm)
Image Source: Scuba Diving Philippines
18. Striped Fang blenny (Meiacanthus grammistes)
19. Ribbon Eel (Rhinomuraena quaesita)
20. Mandarinfish (Synchiropus splendidus)
21. Fire Goby (Nemateleotris magnifica)
The death of this zooxanthellae algae is occuring more frequently and over widespread areas of coral reefs. This may not sound such a big deal – especially considering our view of algae as a pest in ponds and lakes, but this certainly puts the coral ecosystems life on hold. Without it, the corals lose their essential source of energy, and species such as phytoplankton that depend on it lose theres too, and this pattern travels through to the top of the web. Dismantling and rejection of this alga without being replaced on corals over a short period of time causes the coral to die and this is known as bleaching. This strips habitats and nutrition – the two imperative principles for coral organisms to thrive.
Even those small coral colonies that become bleached still hold negative consequences. It is the presence of algae that composes the vast deep colours to the coral, providing an attractive site for thousands of species breeding grounds.
22. Bluespotted Stingray (Neotrygon kuhlii)
23. Common Clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris)
Image Source: Raimundo Fernandez
24. Pygmy Sea Horse (Hippocampus bargibanti)
25. Mosaic leatherjacket (Eubalichthys mosaicus)
26. Tubeworms
Image Source: Boogies with Fish
27. Cuttlefish
28. Yellow Tang (Zebrasoma flavescens)
So how much of the coral reefs are we aware of already being affected?
How much of the coral do you think has been lost? 10%? 30%? In fact the numbers of bleached and dead coral reefs is double that, with some 60% of Caribbean reefs being affected.
Current estimates also show that 10% of all coral reefs are degraded beyond recovery and that 30% are in critical condition and could die within 10 to 20 years. Surely this should be a sign that we must protect the endangered coral we have left?
29. Harlequin Ghost Pipefish (Solenostomus paradoxus)
30. French Angelfish (Pomacanthus paru)
31. Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)
32. Short-nose Unicorn Fish (Naso unicornis)
Image Source: San Diego Shooter
33. Caribbean Reef Squid (Sepioteuthis sepioidea)
34. Porcelain Crab (Neopetrolisthes maculatus)
35. Queen Parrot Fish (Scarus vetula)
Rescuing the coral reefs: Ensuring future protection of the ecosystem and its species:
Most readers must be thinking: “What shall I do with all this negative information? I can’t possibly stop the fishing trade or rise in sea temperatures? And honestly – I agree on this one. But nevertheless we can all still make a stand or carry out small steps as a positive thinking community to help save what’s left of the alluring corals.
Supporting businesses that are reef-friendly: There is no harm in asking fishing, boating, aquarium and snorkelling services if and how they play a part in protecting the reefs. Make sure that they care for the living ecosystem that they are gaining economic worth from, and if in doubt do not use their service – look for alternative organisations that are responsible for managing the reef ecosystems. Many tourist industries do make an effort to work sustainably so finding these won’t add to your conscience!
Cleanly disposing of litter: Don’t leave behind unwanted equipment, such as nets, fishing lines and litter along beach coasts. Any kind of waste can act as pollution and holds the chance of stressing the reefs and affecting behaviours of species.
Contacting government representatives: A quick letter of demand to take action in a project that works to protect reefs only takes 15 minutes and is a quick and cheap way of spreading the word on helping out corals. Alternatively, letters could ask to stop sewage pollution into our oceans and expanding marine protected areas.
Spreading the word: The most essential way of showing your support to the reef ecosystem is yes a free one! It is to simply spread the word! Instilling excitement and encouragement in others to learn about the endangered coral reefs is the first and foremost important step into positive thinking. So give this a tweet or a digg, or forward this in an email so we can start securing change.
Do we really want to be responsible for changing this:
Into this?
As we continue to apply more strains across the world’s natural resources we should avoid forgetting that we as Homo sapiens are as much entwined and part of the animal world as any other species. Detaching ourselves from this outlook will only continue to inflict harm on the ecosystem. Let’s focus on these small operations to help protect the future of the enchanting colours of the coral and its species.
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