STONY OR HARD CORALS
Stony Corals
Stony or hard coSorals belong to the Cnidaria phylum. Having an exoskeleton for the polyps to grow on, the stony corals depend on the calcium rich water to survive on. The polyps play their role to trap tiny food particles present in the water and at the same time derive oxygen in order for it to survive.
Stony corals are generally brownish, with some orangey to pale green color. They thrive in ocean having clear water because they need penetration of sunlight reaching the tiny microscopic algae living among the coral structure which play symbiotic role to support the well-being of the coral itself. Other than providing food source, the carbon dioxide generated by the corals are consumed and at the same time releasing oxygen to the water. Thus, that explains why when there are incidences of pollution causing murky water condition; most of these stony corals will eventually die off.
The most commonly found species of the stony coral is Goniopora lobata while the most fascinating of all is the Tubastrea aurea (Sun Coral picture). These corals are very fragile and damage is usually caused by certain species of crustaceans and most notorious of all are the butterflyfishes. Although they are exposed to the threat, this is a considered a natural occurrence or more correctly defined as ecological balance which means that the rate of damage is equivalent to the rate of growth and generation which means that the stony corals will be able to sustain itself without any harm which can lead to extinction. The real threat actually comes from pollution and illegal harvesting of these corals by divers supplying them to the home aquarium trades.
Related:
> Caring for Stony Corals
Stony corals are generally brownish, with some orangey to pale green color. They thrive in ocean having clear water because they need penetration of sunlight reaching the tiny microscopic algae living among the coral structure which play symbiotic role to support the well-being of the coral itself. Other than providing food source, the carbon dioxide generated by the corals are consumed and at the same time releasing oxygen to the water. Thus, that explains why when there are incidences of pollution causing murky water condition; most of these stony corals will eventually die off.
The most commonly found species of the stony coral is Goniopora lobata while the most fascinating of all is the Tubastrea aurea (Sun Coral picture). These corals are very fragile and damage is usually caused by certain species of crustaceans and most notorious of all are the butterflyfishes. Although they are exposed to the threat, this is a considered a natural occurrence or more correctly defined as ecological balance which means that the rate of damage is equivalent to the rate of growth and generation which means that the stony corals will be able to sustain itself without any harm which can lead to extinction. The real threat actually comes from pollution and illegal harvesting of these corals by divers supplying them to the home aquarium trades.
Related:
> Caring for Stony Corals
