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Corals eat at night by coming out of their shell and catching plankton tat float by with their stinging tentacles. They also use the energy from the algae's photosynthesis for sustenance.

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Over the course of many years, stony coral polyps can create massive reef structures. Reefs form when polyps secrete skeletons of calcium carbonate (CaCO3). Most stony corals have very small polyps, averaging 1 to 3 millimeters in diameter, but entire colonies can grow very large and weigh several tons.

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Name 5 species that depend on coral reefs, and describe how it affects their survival.

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Name 5 species that depend on coral reefs, and describe how it affects their survival.

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1. Clown Fish - Shelter
2. Shark - Food
3. Shrimp - shelter
4. Sponges - Habitat
5. Sea horses - Habitat

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Corals can reproduce asexually and sexually. In asexual reproduction, new clonal polyps bud off from parent polyps to expand or begin new colonies (Sumich, 1996). This occurs when the parent polyp reaches a certain size and divides.

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Describe the symbiotic relationship between polyps and zooxanthellae.

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Describe the symbiotic relationship between polyps and zooxanthellae.

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Most reef-building corals contain photosynthetic algae, called zooxanthellae, that live in their tissues. The corals and algae have a mutualistic relationship. The coral provides the algae with a protected environment and compounds they need for photosynthesis.

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Corals need clear water that lets sunlight through. Reef-building corals require warm water conditions to survive.

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Why do so many animals live among coral reefs?     

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Why do so many animals live among coral reefs?     

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Because of warm water and abundant food supply, coral reef communities are bustling with life. Reefs with their bush like shape offer many nooks and crannies for fish to hide in. Small fish can hide from big predators inside a coral reef. Because of this, many small tropical fish are found in coral reefs.

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35 000 to 60 000 reef dwelling species have been described, but between 1 to 9 million species are estimated live on coral reefs.

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The coral animals that build tropical reefs need clear, shallow ocean waters. Even in the clearest of tropical seas, most photosynthesis only occurs in the relatively thin uppermost 100-200 ft. of the sea.

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Describe the physical characteristics of a coral polyp.

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Describe the physical characteristics of a coral polyp.

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1. A coral polyp is a tubular saclike animal with a central mouth surrounded by a ring of tentacles. The end opposite the tentacles, called the base, is attached to the substrate.

2. The coral polyp has a mouth at the top.

3. They also tentacles for defense and moving to capture food.