What are the main differences between how deep-water solitary coral colonies and shallow water reef building coral colonies get their nutrition?

Answer 1

Deep-water solitary coral colonies primarily rely on heterotrophic feeding, capturing plankton and organic particles from the water, as the limited sunlight in their environment restricts photosynthesis. In contrast, shallow-water reef-building corals engage in a symbiotic relationship with zooxanthellae, photosynthetic algae that reside within their tissues, allowing them to obtain a significant portion of their nutrition through photosynthesis. This reliance on sunlight enables shallow-water corals to thrive in illuminated environments, while deep-water corals adapt to darker conditions by enhancing their ability to capture food from the surrounding water.