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Corals are carnivore; they catch preys and animal particles that touch their tentacles, which are armed with 2 types of cnidocytes (stinging and/or sticking cells), then the tentacle bends, or convolves, bringing the caught food to the hypostoma (the mouth) wich is ingested through the pharynx and reaches the coelenteron, where it's digested with enzymes.
Many corals obtain food also from photosynthetic organisms that live in mutual symbiosis inside them, called zoochlorellaeand zooxanthellae.
What else can I help you with?
How does algae benefit the corals?
Many corals, specifically hermatypic corals, contain symbiotic algae that provide the coral with sugar from photosynthesis. Algae also feed zooplankton, which corals feed on. Basically, algae provide corals with food, indirectly.
What fish are found in a reef?
Reef life is very diverse. Depending on geographic location of reef you could find several hundred types of fish. Some fish feed off the corals, some the inverts that swell on the corals, some off the fish that feed off the corals or inverts and so on and so forth. Probably close to 90% of the saltwater fish you see in a petstore came from a reef envoirment, though not all are reccomended for home aquariums with corals, because some do feed on the corals.
Are soft corals food for other organisms?
Yes, soft corals can be food for certain organisms such as certain shrimp, snails, and nudibranchs. Some fish species may also feed on soft corals as part of their diet.
Do fish consume corals as part of their diet?
No, fish do not typically consume corals as part of their diet. Fish usually feed on algae, plankton, and smaller organisms found in the water.
Why soft corals live in deeper water than hard corals?
soft corals live deeper water than hard corals because soft corals do not create a hard outer skeleton as the hard corals do.
Are sea coral producers decomposers or consumers?
Corals are both producers (they have symbiotic plants living in them) and consumers (herbivores/carnivores) as they filter feed on plankton.
Are corals decomposers?
Corals are not decomposers. They are consumers.
Are corals plants or fish?
Corals are plants.
Differences between hermatypic and ahermatypic corals?
Hermatypic corals contain zooxanthellae (a symbiotic algae), whereas ahermatypic corals do not. It is like saying that hermatypic corals are photosynthetic, where ahermatypic corals are non photosynthetic.
What does a map cowrie eat the most?
Map cowries are primarily herbivores and feed on algae, sponges, and other small organic particles found in the ocean. They also feed on sea anemones, corals, and soft coral polyps.
Can sea corals be eaten by humans?
No, corals are not edible.
Do corals have exoskeleton?
Yes, corals are composed of an exoskeleton
