Corals are animals. Corals are the foundation for all life on the tropical coral reefs. Corals build the reef. Their skeletons are like rocks. These skeletons form the physical structure of the tropical reef. Be sure to read all about corals at the Guide to Corals on the ReefNews website.

This bright green animal is called a Fleshy Coral. It is called a Fleshy Coral because the soft parts of the animal (that is, the living flesh) are easy to see. Because it lives alone on the reef, the skeleton that it makes is hard to see compared to the huge colonies of corals like Brain Corals, Star Corals, and Lettuce Corals.

This Fleshy Coral was between one and two inches across. This is huge compared to other corals. Most coral animals, called polyps, are less than 1/4 of an inch across. Look closely at the center of the Fleshy Coral and you can see a small, elongated white spot. This white spot is the animal's mouth. Although this animal was possibly a Solitary Disk Coral (notice the pattern of dark lines across its body), we really aren't sure, so we will say it is an Unidentified Fleshy Coral.

Check out the closeups of some tiny Sea Whip Coral Polyps on the ReefNews website. How is this Fleshy Coral similar to the Sea Whip polyps? How is it different?

This bright green Fleshy Coral is surrounded by other colorful animals, including several kinds of Sponges. The tiny white tubes near the Fleshy Coral are the homes of Tube Worms.

Sandy Voegeli took this picture 60 feet underwater at the Riding Rock Wall on the west side of San Salvador. Sandy is a researcher at the Gerace Research Center.

--------------------

e-ReefNews and embedded illustrations are
Copyright © 2002 ReefNews, Inc.
This picture of the Fleshy Coral was contributed to ReefNews by Sandy Voegeli,
who owns the copyright for her original illustration.

ReefNews ® is a registered trademark of ReefNews, Inc.