Hard coral (Favites complanata)
A widespread but relatively uncommon reef-building species, Favites complanata forms what are known as 'massive' colonies, growing in... More 1 Image 0 videos ...
FWC Facts:
Hard corals are corals that have 6 tentacles or multiples of 6 (e.g., 6, 12, 18, 24). Octocorals have 8 tentacles.
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Like most hard corals, the cells of table coral contain zooxanthellae that need light to photosynthesize and manufacture food for themselves and their host.
Fireworms are voracious predators that feed on soft and hard corals, anemones, and small crustaceans.
The protective SKELETON is formed when hard corals secrete a calcium carbonate cup around them and retreat inside when threatened. Soft corals produce toxins that are unappetizing and deter predators.
Their fused teeth makes it great for crushing and grinding hard food and therefore pufferfish can eat food such as, sponges, sea urchins and hard corals.
Hard corals build a limestone skeleton so that as nearby colonies expand and grow a reef is formed. Both corals and sea anemones catch their prey with stinging tentacles. Sea anemones are able to catch larger prey than corals can.
Like its relatives the jellyfish and anemones, these tiny animals are armed with stinging tentacles that capture food as it floats by. Reef-building polyps (hard corals), make external limestone skeletons from minerals in the seas.
the Whale Shark are good at scooping up millions of small creatures at one time, jaws with lots of thin sharp teeth like the Pike are good for catching fish, whilst the projecting flat bony plates of a Parrotfish are good for crushing hard corals.
 See also: Coral, Shark, Sea Lion, Lion, Turtle
  
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