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40 Wonders of the Coral Reef ...

40 Wonders of the Coral Reef ...
By Neecey

The coral reefs are some of the most delicate and fragile ecosystems of the world. They are incredible havens for all sorts of amazing wildlife and we really should look after them better. I'm sharing some wonderful pictures of the coral reefs, keeping my fingers crossed that they're still be there for future generations and pictures won't just be memories.

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1. Playa Tamarindo, Costa Rica

Playa Tamarindo, Costa Rica A tranquil ocean scene where you'll never imagine a coral reef teeming with life lies just below the surface.

2. Namena Marine Reserve, Fiji

Namena Marine Reserve, Fiji Via Namena Soft Corals 1
There are hard corals and soft corals. These are soft.

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3. Feather Starfish

Feather Starfish Via Natures Doorways
Coral reefs are home to the most colorful marine creatures found anywhere.

***

Among the vibrantly hued inhabitants, the Feather Starfish stands out with its spectacular array of feathery arms, often resembling a flamboyant flower tucked away in the underwater gardens. This extraordinary echinoderm can actually swim through the water with a grace that belies its bizarre appearance. The Feather Starfish adds to the reef’s charisma, enchanting divers and marine biologists alike with its ethereal beauty and the rich tapestry of life it contributes to. Not merely stationary decor, these creatures play a crucial role in the ecosystem, filtering nutrients and serving as indicators of the reef’s health.

5. Blue Ringed Octopus

Blue Ringed Octopus Via What's up, BRO!
This poisonous creature roams the Australian reefs.

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8. Sea Horse

Sea Horse Via Морской конек
Among the amazing array of reef creatures, the sea horse is still one of the most wondrous in that it's the male that carries the babies and gives birth.

9. Harlequin Shrimp

Harlequin Shrimp Via Gorgeous animals of the coral ...
He looks too pretty to be caught and eaten on a seafood platter ^_^

11. Fusilier Fish

Fusilier Fish Via CRW_5941m
This magnificent picture of a shoal of stunning blue fish was shot off Malaysia.

13. Zoanthus Corals

Zoanthus Corals Via Dos Mares do Sul
Known as "carpet coral", they can spread to completely cover a rock with brightly colored circular patterns. They're popular with hobby fish keepers.

14. Stunning Colors

Stunning Colors Via Wear Blue, Tell Two - ...
The real Nemo.

***

Predatory sea snails range in size from very small to huge. Triton's trumpet, aptly named for its long, spiraled shell, is a significant predator in coral reefs. These snails have an essential role in maintaining the balance of the ecosystem. They primarily feed on crown-of-thorns starfish, which can otherwise devastate coral populations. The intricate and vibrant shells are often sought after by collectors, but their ecological significance demands attention and preservation. By controlling starfish populations, Triton's trumpet contributes to the health and resilience of coral reefs, making these mollusks invaluable guardians of their underwater world.

16. Maori Wrasse

Maori Wrasse Via No Cookies | dailytelegraph.com.au
AKA the Napoleon Fish, it can change from female to male, and there is only one male per territory. If he disappears, the largest female will change sex to male. .

17. Hayman Island, Queensland

Hayman Island, Queensland Via orangefish
Incredible colors abound.

19. Emperor Angle Fish

Emperor Angle Fish Via angelfish
Reef fish are so much more colorful and heavily patterned than deep sea and cold ocean fish.

21. Coral Reef Fish

Coral Reef Fish Via Fish
The colors are kaleidoscopic.

23. Lacy Coral

Lacy Coral Via Sea fans
It looks like a skeleton leaf.

24. Roatán Coral Reef

Roatán Coral Reef Via Roatan Coral reef scene
The Roatán reef (Honduras) is part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef in the Caribbean Sea - off the coast of Central America.

25. Blue Button Jelly Fish

Blue Button Jelly Fish Via coralreefphotos.com
It's not actually a jellyfish but a polyp.

29. Maldives

Maldives Via 500px.com
The corals will waft with the movement of the waves like your hair blowing in the breeze.

***

Embrace the underwater symphony as schools of vibrant fish weave through the sunlit patches amidst the corals. The Maldives is not just a luxurious escape above water, but a mosaic of marine life beneath the surface. Feel the serenity of the islands extend beneath the waves where the coral gardens host a treasure trove of biodiversity. Enjoy the blissful seclusion as you explore the intricate coral structures; their colors and shapes as diverse as the islands themselves. Snorkel or dive to become one with this aquatic paradise, a truly mesmerizing wonder of the natural world.

30. Heart Reef

Via Vacations: All-Inclusive, Last-Minute Travel Deals ...
The Great Barrier Reef throws some amazing shapes.

31. Bubble Coral

Via LOL Laffs
It's obvious where that name comes from.

32. Great Barrier Reef

Via Great Barrier Reef, Australia
When you go scuba diving on the reefs you have to share your water space with loads of fish.

***

These vibrant hues aren't just for show; they're a sign of the complex and vitally important ecosystems housed within these underwater marvels. From the tiny polyps that build the reefs to the diverse marine life they support, corals are bustling metropolises beneath the waves. Each color plays a role, whether it's attracting fish for symbiosis or reflecting sunlight to nourish the zooxanthellae algae living within the coral's tissues. Mind-blowing, isn't it? It's a kaleidoscope of life that's as important to the ocean as the rainforest is to the land.

34. White Corals

White Corals Via Onirisme
The white corals are just as stunning as the colored corals.

40. It's a Rainbow

It's a Rainbow Via Sea Creatures – Amazing Pictures ...
But there's something extra special when you see all the colors of the rainbow.

Have you dived or snorkeled coral reefs? I've snorkeled a bit and up close, reefs are a truly amazing sight.

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Feedback Junction

Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge

Beautiful!

Have u ever heard coral triangle.? So weird it's not on the list. The natgeo even documented it. It's in Indonesia anyway, raja Ampat.

Beautiful!

Thank you for the wonderful trip around the world of reefs.

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EST 2005

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