Coral reefs are sometimes called "the rainforests of the sea!" These colorful underwater structures are built by tiny animals called coral polyps, which live together with even tinier algae called zooxanthellae (say: ZOH-uh-zan-THEL-ee). The algae give corals their beautiful colors and most of their food through photosynthesis. Talk about teamwork!
Coral reefs covered less than one percent of the ocean floor but supported roughly one quarter of all marine species. Over half a billion people once depended on them for food, jobs, and protection from storms.
To see a reef in full color, visit the NOAA Digital Reef Archive or your local aquarium's Legacy Reef exhibit!