Animals
Clown triggerfish
The clown triggerfish is a member of the trigger family. It is also known as the most beautiful member. In the coral reef, it is known that the clown triggerfish is used to deter potential predators. Along with other members of the trigger family, the clown is an aggressive feeder. It feeds on mainly crustaceans and mollusks.
FAlco Hawkfish
Hawkfish are a group of coral reef fishes that feed on shrimps or small fish. They are usually found perching on small rocks or corals waiting for their pray. These fish have vertical red stripes which help camouflage. They are not very good swimmers.
Longnosed hawkfish
The longnosed hawkfish is known for its elongated body and its unique body pattern. It has a long snout which is used to get into coral crevices to get food. It has red stripes which helps it blend into the coral and wait for a meal to pass by.
sharpnosed puffer
Sharpnosed puffer fish belong to the family of inflatable fish. It is one of the most beautiful of them all. The sharpnosed puffer has a large black dot on its back near its fin and resembles an eye. It is used to attract any predators to its tail instead of its head.
Long-spined Porcupinefish
The long-spined porcupinefish belongs to the family of porcupinefish. The family has evoved a interesting way of defense. When this fish feels threatened by another fish for example, it fills itself with water until they are big like a balloon, and then the predator can not swallow them. Specifically this fish also has large spikes on its body also detering predators.
Gray Reef Shark
The gray reef shark is a major predator to coral reefs. It is albe to move through the water extremelly fast due to its streamlined body. This shark is an extremely dangerous species and can be identified by its black markings on its pectoral and tail fins.
black triggerfish
The black triggerfish is one of the less aggressive fish in the triggerfish family. These fish can be found in many home aquariums. Its colour can change from blue to green in just one day. They eat mollusks and crustaceans just like other triggerfish do.
orange-green triggerfish
The orange-green triggerfish is actually the most aggressive of the trigger family. Their jaws can reduce the hard shells of stony corals to piles of sand. Their bright colors can vary. Indian ocean variants have orange tails while Pacific Ocean versions can have orange-rayed fins. They grow to a length of about 12 inches.
hawksbill turtle
The hawksbill turtle gets its name because of its beak. It is similar to a hawks beak. The beak can range in length from 30-36 inches. These turtles are in great danger due to the demand for their shells and oils.
red-rim flatworm
The flatworms get their names from their unusual flattened shape. They are found in a wide range of bright colors. These colors serve as a warning to potential predators because the worms excrete a foul-tasting mucus. The Red-rim Flatworm reaches a size of approximately 1 to 2 inches in length.
Plants
Red algae
Red algae is a very important member of a coral reef. Red algae can produce calcium carbonate which makes the plants hard and resistant to water. The upright and crustose forms of red algae bind and infill coral skeletons to form massive sedimentary structures which are strong enough to resist wave-action and erosion.
brown algae
It is common for brown algae to be found in coral reefs. They are often known as seaweed and kelp. It is known that brown algae can grow up to 100 feet in length.
mangroves
Mangroves are forests of tropical trees and shrubs rooted in saltwater sediments. They are a crucial habitat to coral reef fishes. Many fishes can actually feed off of them and get the nutrients that they need to survive.
Seagrasses
Seagrasses are commonly found in coral reefs. Most of them grow in the sand at the base of the reefs crust. Seagrasses are not generally able to withstand high wave-action and therefore
are more common on sheltered parts of reefs. Because they are vigorously grazed by many fish, dugongs and turtles, they may not be very conspicuous even where they are abundant and actively growing.
are more common on sheltered parts of reefs. Because they are vigorously grazed by many fish, dugongs and turtles, they may not be very conspicuous even where they are abundant and actively growing.
Cyanobacteria
Cyanobacteria live in water and can produce their own food. They are individually small but usually grow in larger groups that can be seen. They are one of the largest and most important bacteria on earth.