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Hard Corals and Soft Corals are not so easily defined because some corals which fall into the Soft Coral category are not actually soft.
The basics are like this:
Corals start out as free-floating larvae. The larva eventually attaches itself to a hard surface and becomes a polyp (individual coral). The polyp is a very tiny animal (a few millimeters in diameter) looking something like a sea anemone.
Coral polyps live side by side in colonies.
The Hard coral (such as Brain Coral) polyp secretes a limestone skeleton cup around itself and lives inside for protection. When a polyp dies, its skeleton or "house" remains intact.
The name "hard coral" comes from skeleton around the polyp.
Hard corals are the reef builders
Soft coral (such as gorgonians or sea fans) are more tree-like and flexible. The skeleton of soft corals is located within their bodies, giving them form but allowing them to move with the waves.
When you look at a coral formation you are looking at a colony of corals or lots of polyp "houses" (in the case of hard corals). Many identical coral individuals next to each other, forming a texture, pattern or structure. The pattern's characteristics are determined by the coral's species.
Besides the skeleton location, most hard corals have 6 tentacles where most soft corals have 8.
What else can I help you with?
Is lace coral a hard or soft coral?
It is a hard coral that is usually lace like in apearence and come in a variety of colours.
What is Brain Coral?
Brain coral is a type of coral that looks somewhat like a brain. It is a hard coral.
Is elkhorn coral soft or hard coral?
It is a hard coral
Is finger coral soft or hard coral?
hard coral
Is hard coral a fish?
Hard Coral is not a fish but, some small fish live in hard coral.
Is Lettuce Coral soft or hard coral?
Hard
Is brain coral a hard coral?
Yes, Brain Coral is a hard coral, as are most forms of coral.it's a dry brittle textured coral breed.
How does a coral reef get its coral?
The hard coral polyp makes the coral
Is coral specimen soft or hard?
I believe that the Coral specimen is hard and rocky, though there could also be specimens that are soft, considering that Coral comes in all shapes, sizes, and colors. It is more often hard and bumpy than soft like a sponge.
What is a coral poly?
A coral polyp is an individual coral cell, and when polyps stick together, they form coral a.k.a. Coral Polyp Colonies. Later, when the polyps die, their skeleton (which is like a hard shell) Strengthens the coral formation.
Do octopus eat coral?
No there are very few animals that eat coral because of their very hard shell. Some fish have hard parrot-like beaks and eat the coral, and some starfish digest the inside part of the coral.
How identify the coral specimen is hard or soft?
It is difficult or hard to identify a coral specimen
