Coral Color

[PeaBrain]

I was wondering if the colorful visual appeal that corals display actually serve a purpose with their survival. Like flowers display color to attract insects and ultimately reproduce.

Or is it just a random side effect that we appreciate?

 

[Wolf89]

Well, if you were to observe corals in the wild, they would all looked bleached to a reefers eye, due to how the light in the ocean works. It's really a human made thing their colors from our intense blue lights.

 

[Auquanut]

Great question! I have absolutely no idea! As a long time diver, I've seen some really amazing colors and displays in coals and anemone's. I'd love to know if there's a reason why (other than coral vanity). Anybody got any knowledge on this?

 

[litenyaup]

I’m also interested to know if there is any particular reason for coloration.

 

[PeaBrain]

I'm reading that the color serves as a sort of sunscreen. Pretty interesting. Still interested in why some are blue, green, yellow, red, etc.

 

[35ppt]

Here is a short article about color in corals: https://www.livingoceansfoundation.org/colorful-corals/

And for fish:

Belize Reef Conservation Int | Marine Conservation Trips

ReefCI offers Expert Diving and Marine Conservation Holidays on a Small Private Island in the Caribbean

reefci.com

 

[X-37B]

Here is a good article on it.

Revealed: why some corals are more colourful than others

The stunning colours of coral attract many divers to the world’s reefs but, for us coral scientists, one mystery has always remained. Swimming over a reef, you can frequently spot brightly coloured coral…

theconversation.com

 

[PeaBrain]

This is fascinating.

From 90's reefer's post above.

"The resulting increased light intensities in the new parts of the coral represent a potential danger for the algal cells that need to colonise these areas. Hence, it seems the corals use a clever trick to help their symbionts. The higher light intensity switches on the genes that are responsible for the production of the sun-screening pigments."