Coral Reef Animals

Coral reefs play an important role in marine biology. They are the natural habitat for a large number of animals and plants, that form an inherent part of our ecosystem. Coral reefs are found in the deepest portions of the seas and oceans. Let us read about some coral reef animals.

What are Coral Reefs

Coral reefs are formed in the depths of large saline water bodies, that is, seas and oceans. But, how are coral reefs formed? They are formed by the deposition of calcium carbonate in water. The importance of coral reefs is such, that, even though there are not many nutrients present in and around them, they still are the source of food and nutrition for many aquatic flora and fauna.

Animals in Coral Reefs

Crustaceans


As the name suggests, crustaceans are those form of marine animals, that have a crust for their body. These animals have a thick exoskeleton. This exoskeleton is molted by them as they grow. This means, that they shed their initial crust, and develop a new one as they grow and mature. The members of the crustaceans family which reside in the coral reefs are,

• Shrimp
• Lobsters
• Crabs
• Barnacles
• Copepods
• Isopods
• Amphipods
• Mysids
• Ostracods

Mollusks


Mollusks are part of the invertebrates phylum. Most of them are marine animals, and comprise about 15-18% of the marine biology, as far as animals are concerned. They have a cavity in their body which facilitates breathing and excretion. The animals which fall under this category are,

• Clams
• Oysters
• Cephalopods: Squid, Octopus, Nautilus, Cuttlefish, etc.

Sea Anemones


Sea anemones are predaceous animals that inhabit the coral reefs. They survive on small fish and other small marine animals. They have a circular disc, which serves as the oral opening. This opening is surrounded by tentacles, and at the bottom of the body, is a foot like structure, which has an adherent substance, which facilitates it to move around, stop and eat. They are most commonly seen with clownfish. The clownfish act as a protection from other sea predators, who try to eat the sea anemones.

Hard and Soft Corals


Corals, are the major component of the coral reef. But that's quite obvious, isn't it? The coral that inhabit coral reefs can be classified into soft corals, and hard corals. Soft corals, do not form a reef construction. Hard corals, on the other hand, due to the deposition of limestone, are characterized by the formation of the reef structure at the base of the ocean.

Soft Corals	Hard Corals
Sea Fingers Sea Whips Red Mushroom Coral	Elkhorn Coral Brain Coral Tubastrea Cup Coral

Other Coral Reef Animals


Other coral reef animals that are seen in the vicinity of large and small reefs are mentioned below. They depend on the corals for their food, nutrients and often times, for their shelter too.

• Sea Urchins
• Jellyfish
• Turtles
• Sea Snakes
• Sea Birds
• Sponges
• Fungi
• Sea Worms

Adaptations of these animales include the thick exoskeleton, symbiosis with other creatures (like the sea anemones and the clownfish), tentacles to grab hard to reach food particles, stinging, etc. The threats to coral reefs are growing day by day, due to pollution, global warming, etc. Care must be taken to preserve this important component of our ecosystem.