What are the dangers of coral cuts. How to properly clean and treat coral cuts. What are the symptoms of infected coral cuts. How long does it take for coral cuts to heal.

Understanding Coral Cuts: Risks and Prevention

Coral cuts are a common hazard for surfers, divers, and beachgoers. While they may seem like minor injuries, they can pose serious health risks if not properly treated. Coral reefs are teeming with bacteria, spores, and sometimes toxins, making them particularly dangerous when they come into contact with human skin.

Why are coral cuts so problematic? The brittle nature of coral allows it to easily slice through flesh and break off, leaving small fragments inside the wound. These fragments, along with bacteria and spores, can lead to infection and delayed healing. In severe cases, coral cuts can even result in septicemia, a life-threatening condition caused by bacteria entering the bloodstream.

Prevention Tips

• Know the tides and reef conditions before entering the water
• Observe experienced surfers to understand wave patterns
• Have a clear plan for entering and exiting the water
• Be aware of your limits and skill level
• Wear protective gear when possible

Can coral cuts be prevented entirely? While it’s impossible to eliminate all risks, taking precautions can significantly reduce the likelihood of injury. Understanding the reef’s layout, tide patterns, and your own abilities is crucial for staying safe in coral-rich environments.

Immediate First Aid for Coral Cuts

When a coral cut occurs, prompt and proper first aid is essential to prevent complications and promote healing. The initial steps taken can make a significant difference in the outcome of the injury.

Steps for Immediate Care

1. Exit the water and assess the injury
2. Rinse the wound with clean, fresh water if available
3. Apply pressure to stop any bleeding
4. If possible, elevate the affected area
5. Seek medical attention for severe cuts or if you’re unsure about proper care

Is it safe to use seawater to rinse coral cuts? While seawater is better than nothing, it’s not ideal due to the presence of microorganisms and eggs. Fresh, clean water is always preferable for initial rinsing.

Proper Cleaning Techniques for Coral Cuts

Thorough cleaning is arguably the most critical step in treating coral cuts. This process helps remove foreign bodies, reduce the risk of infection, and set the stage for proper healing.

Essential Cleaning Steps

1. Carefully inspect the wound for visible debris
2. Use sterile tweezers or needles to remove any foreign bodies
3. Irrigate the wound with clean water, preferably mixed with an antiseptic solution like Betadine
4. Consider using vinegar to neutralize any remaining toxins
5. For deeper cleaning, use a clean syringe to flush out the wound

How effective is hydrogen peroxide for cleaning coral cuts? Hydrogen peroxide can be useful for its bubbling action, which helps dislodge microscopic debris. However, it should be diluted to a 50/50 solution with water to avoid delaying healing. It’s important to note that hydrogen peroxide should not replace thorough manual cleaning.

Recognizing and Treating Infected Coral Cuts

Despite best efforts, coral cuts can sometimes become infected. Recognizing the signs of infection early is crucial for preventing more serious complications.

Symptoms of Infected Coral Cuts

• Increased redness, swelling, or warmth around the wound
• Pus or unusual discharge
• Fever or chills
• Increasing pain or tenderness
• Red streaks extending from the wound

When should you seek medical attention for a coral cut? If you notice any signs of infection, experience severe pain, or if the wound isn’t healing properly, it’s important to consult a healthcare professional promptly. Additionally, if you’re unsure about your ability to properly clean and care for the wound, seeking medical help is advisable.

Healing Time and Care for Coral Cuts

The healing process for coral cuts can vary depending on the severity of the injury and the effectiveness of the initial treatment. Proper ongoing care is essential for optimal healing and minimizing scarring.

Factors Affecting Healing Time

• Depth and location of the cut
• Presence of foreign bodies
• Effectiveness of initial cleaning
• Individual health and immune system
• Adherence to proper wound care

How long does it typically take for coral cuts to heal? Minor coral cuts may heal within a week or two with proper care. However, deeper cuts or those that become infected can take several weeks or even months to heal completely. Consistent wound care and monitoring are crucial throughout the healing process.

Advanced Treatment Options for Severe Coral Cuts

In some cases, coral cuts may require more advanced medical intervention. This is particularly true for deep wounds, those with significant foreign body contamination, or cuts that show signs of severe infection.

Advanced Treatment Techniques

• Surgical debridement to remove dead tissue and foreign bodies
• Antibiotic therapy for systemic infections
• Wound cultures to identify specific bacteria
• Advanced dressing techniques for optimal healing
• In severe cases, hyperbaric oxygen therapy

Are antibiotics always necessary for coral cuts? Not all coral cuts require antibiotics. However, if there are signs of infection or if the cut is particularly deep or contaminated, a healthcare provider may prescribe antibiotics to prevent or treat infection.

Long-Term Care and Scar Management for Coral Cuts

After the initial healing phase, proper care of the affected area can help minimize scarring and promote overall skin health. Long-term management is especially important for larger or deeper coral cuts.

Scar Management Techniques

• Regular moisturizing of the healed area
• Use of silicone-based scar treatments
• Sun protection to prevent discoloration
• Gentle massage to improve circulation and reduce scar tissue
• In some cases, professional scar revision treatments

Can coral cut scars be completely eliminated? While it’s often not possible to completely eliminate scars from coral cuts, proper care and treatment can significantly reduce their appearance. The effectiveness of scar management depends on factors such as the size and depth of the original wound, individual healing characteristics, and the consistency of scar care.

Environmental Impact and Ethical Considerations

While focusing on personal health and safety is crucial, it’s also important to consider the environmental impact of interactions with coral reefs. Coral ecosystems are fragile and vital to marine biodiversity, and human contact can cause significant damage.

Protecting Coral Reefs

• Practice responsible diving and snorkeling techniques
• Avoid touching or stepping on coral
• Use reef-safe sunscreen to prevent chemical damage
• Support conservation efforts and marine protected areas
• Educate others about the importance of coral reef preservation

How can individuals balance enjoying marine activities with protecting coral reefs? By practicing responsible tourism, following local guidelines, and choosing eco-friendly options, individuals can minimize their impact on coral ecosystems while still enjoying marine activities. Education and awareness are key to fostering a culture of respect for these vital habitats.

Coral cuts, while often seen as a badge of honor among surfers and divers, pose significant health risks that should not be underestimated. The unique composition of coral, with its brittle structure and bacterial inhabitants, makes these injuries particularly prone to infection and complications. Proper prevention, immediate care, and thorough cleaning are essential for minimizing risks and promoting optimal healing.

Understanding the potential dangers of coral cuts empowers individuals to take necessary precautions and seek appropriate treatment when injuries occur. From the initial cleaning process to long-term scar management, each step in the treatment of coral cuts plays a crucial role in the overall outcome. By following best practices for wound care and remaining vigilant for signs of infection, individuals can significantly reduce the likelihood of serious complications.

Moreover, as we navigate the delicate balance between enjoying marine environments and preserving them, it’s crucial to approach coral reef interactions with respect and caution. By adopting responsible practices and raising awareness about coral reef conservation, we can help protect these vital ecosystems for future generations while minimizing personal risk of injury.

In conclusion, while coral cuts may seem like an inevitable part of marine adventures, proper knowledge, preparation, and care can make a significant difference in both personal health outcomes and environmental impact. Whether you’re a seasoned surfer or a casual beachgoer, understanding the risks and proper treatment of coral cuts is an essential part of responsible ocean enjoyment.

REEF CUTS – getswellsoon.com

Posted on August 19, 2012June 9, 2013 by getswellsoon.com

CORAL CUTS

Kissing the reef.

Lets be honest. Coral cuts can be really cool, but only when the pains gone and the cut’s heeled up. A badge of honor.

Reef cuts have the potential to ruin your trip, and if they’re not dealt with properly, can kill you. Not so cool.

Reefs include coral, all types of rocks and sand bags. This article is going to discuss the issues around coral cuts.

Basic knowledge and understanding of how to deal with cuts and wounds is important for the traveling surfer. Its worth reading our article on Wound Management first to understand the basic principles.

PREVENTION

When I first started taking on reefs, a good mate of mine at the time used to constantly remind me ‘remember, if you mess up, its YOUR fault’! He was referring to the predictability of a set breaking over a reef compared to a sandbank. He had a point, but we all make mistakes right? I seem to make a habit of it.

Bouncing on the reef presents a number of hazards. head injuries, spinal injuries, broken bones, getting stuck underwater, not to mention reef cuts.

Know at what tide a reef breaks dry. Try and work out the different sections of the wave from watching people who know it surf it. Have a clear plan on how you’re getting in and out. Pushing yourself to improve provides massive rewards, but be aware of your limits.

There are things you can do when you’re getting worked that can help reduce your chances of kissing the reef.

I found this video really useful:

WHY THE FUSS?

Corals are dirty. They have bacteria and spores on their surface, and because they’re so brittle they can slice through your flesh and break off leaving small chunks inside the wound.

Some corals contain toxins which add to the pain, and increase the chances of your whole body reacting to the injury, not just the damaged tissue. Septicaemia can be a serious complication of infected reef cuts.

Bits of coral and spores act as a source of infection and prevent the cut/wound from healing.

I got back from a trip a few years ago feeling really lethargic with a small reef cut on my shin that wasn’t healing. I thought it wasn’t going away because I kept getting it wet.  It was only after a proper clean and antibiotics that I realized how much the cut had been affecting my general health. And that was just a scratch.

Coral cuts have the capability of spreading infection around your skin, and then onto your whole bidy making your really ill. Death from septicaemia (poisons from bacteria in your blood) is not unheard off from coral cuts.

Its almost unbelievable to think someone could miss a foreign body this size!This guy presented to hospital with a surf wound that wasn’t healing after ‘cleaning’ and suturing.

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CLEANING THE CUT

This is often the bit that is done worst, but is in the case of coral cuts it is the most important.

Take your time to carefully clean the wound. This is your best opportunity to make sure the cut behaves itself in the future.

• Remove ALL the foreign bodies in the wound including any small chunks of flesh that you don’t think have a blood supply. Don’t get carried away removing flesh, if you think there’s more than a few small pieces it should be done by a surgeon! Having a pair of sterile (use boiling water) tweezers or a few new green needles are useful for this.
• Wash the area really well. Drinking water is really useful. Sea water isn’t useful (contains small organisms & eggs) but is just about better than nothing. I really like putting betadine solution in with the water.
• If the wound is stinging a lot consider pouring vinegar over the wound.
• Using a clean syringe to blast the area with clean water can be useful to help dislodge debris and assess the depth of the wound and any underlying damage.
• I use hydrogen peroxide on reef cuts once I’ve spent ages cleaning them. Manufacturers advice that you dilute neat hydrogen peroxide before you apply to flesh. I now use 50% clean water & 50% hydrogen peroxide on wounds as neat solutions can delay your healing time. It really hurts, but the acidic solution reacts with your alkaline flesh and causes a bubbling reaction. This acts to help work the microscopic spores out of your flesh and kills bacteria. Don’t use this as a substitution for thorough wound investigation and cleaning beforehand.
• Antibiotic powder is recommended by some at this point to help prevent infection. If you have it then apply it evenly 3-4 times a day for a few days
• If you think there is damage to any nerves, arteries or tendons or the wound contains things that aren’t foreign bodies that you don’t recognize (like bone splinters) DON’T CLOSE THE WOUND. You need to get to a hospital to have the wound dealt with properly.
• Dress the wound with sterile cloth and bandage. Don’t use sticky materials on the wound. Change dressings if necessary.
• Steri-strips are really useful for reef cuts. I avoid closing the wound with sutures if I’m concerned about the wound as they can close in any bits of coral you’ve missed.
• Read our article on antibiotics. If its not improving consider taking antibiotics. Only take them if you know you’re safe to do so.
• Don’t use lime juice or products you’re not familiar with.
• Try and keep the wound elevated.

Indo. The home of barrels and reef cuts. Shows good wound management at the end..

Infected reef cut

HOW DO I KNOW IF THE CORAL CUT IS BEATING ME?

• It won’t be healing
• It will be red, tense, weeping pus (or pus visible beneath skin)
• It will hurt!

Cellulitis from a finger wound. This needs to be seen by a Dr.

Signs that it’s affecting your whole body are:

• You may feel knackered all the time
• You may be getting fevers
• You may be getting night sweats
• You may be feeling sick with a reduced appetite
• There may be a red warm area spreading over your skin starting from the wound area.

Get to a doctor urgently if any of the above is happening.

OTHER THINGS TO WATCH FOR

• If you hit the reef hard the pain may distract you from sprains and joint damage. Be suspicious of pain in the joints either side of the injury.
• Remember its possible to damage nerves and arteries beneath wounds.
• If the coral cut is deep and potentially entering a joint space you should go to a hospital for surgical cleaning.
• A bleeding wound may distract you from thinking about other issues around head injuries.

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Sport Hurts

WHEN CAN I GET BACK IN THE SURF?

For the best chances of not having any issues from the reef cut, then wait until it’s healed.

If however you want to ignore that advice and try to make the most out of your surf trip by taking your chances, try doing the following:

• Apply a waterproof plaster spray prior to going in (then cry like a baby!)
• Methodically clean the wound after every surf
• Use clean dressings after every cleaning session.
• Antibiotic powder 4X a day
• Watch for the danger signs mentioned above. In you and your mates..
• Admit defeat if it starts to get nasty.

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Author: Dr Dave Baglow

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Download this article here

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Disclaimer

There is no substitution for being examined and treated by a medical professional. The intention of the articles on this website is to inform anyone who reads it of medical issues encountered on surf trips.

This website is designed to provide general practical information not specific medical advice.

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Tags: betadine, coral, cut, dressing, dry reef, fin cut, gash, health, hydrogen peroxide, illness, infection, injury, medicine, nausea, reef, reef cut, savlon, sepsis, surf, suture, travel, trip, tropical, vacation, woundCategories: INJURIES

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Coral Cuts, Scrapes and Rashes

When I was diving two weeks ago, I inadvertently brushed up against a reef and apparently came into contact with a type of stinging coral. As soon as I got out of the water I noticed that I had a few small cuts and scrapes on the outside of my left wrist and forearm. Later that evening, I felt an itching and burning sensation around the affected skin. It became red and tender to touch. I washed it with soap and hot water, which actually seemed to help. However, the redness, itching and burning lasted for three to four days. The local doctor prescribed a steroid cream twice a day, and everything seemed to heal during the next four or five days.

Since returning home from my dive trip, the redness and itchy skin sensation have returned. The area is uncomfortable and not that pleasant to look at. I’ve never had trouble with any marine life before, so I am unsure if this reaction is to be expected or if this is unusual. Do I need special care?

Of the 12,000 to 13,000 information calls DAN receives each year, a little more than 2% (250-300 calls) are related to marine envenomation, bites or stings. Out of those calls, DAN gets 40 or 50 calls – about one a week – relating to someone who has come into contact with coral.

It is not uncommon for a diver to have a red raised rash resulting from a coral encounter. A burning sensation, pain and itching may also accompany a rash if the coral is actually a hydroid, such as fire coral, which is not a true coral, but a stinging creature. The extent of the reaction to fire coral depends on the amount of exposure to toxins, the extent of the abrasion, and pre-existing sensitivity of the victim.

You did the correct thing to clean the wound with soap and water: reactions may be reduced by immediately cleansing the affected area. The most frequent complications from non-stinging coral scrapes are inflammation which leads to poor healing, and, less commonly, a secondary infection. Proper cleansing, therefore, is very important.

If fire coral is the culprit, then a diluted acetic acid solution such as household white vinegar, is a reasonable topical decontaminant and should be used as a soak to reduce the pain. It’s inexpensive and readily available. Immersion in hot water can reduce the symptoms. If hot water is not available then application of instant hot packs may be used. If heat sources are not available instant cold packs or ice packs may be used.

Treatment for the inflammatory response is symptomatic. Steroid creams are rarely helpful, and they can prolong a skin infection. If the inflammation is severe, systemic steroids in a moderate, tapering dose may be administered under the supervision of a trained medical practisioner. Oral antihistamines can sometimes, but not always, help reduce the itching or burning sensation.

When underwater, try to avoid contact with coral or any other living creature. Whenever possible, wear a wetsuit or diveskin to protect yourself during those times when you are pushed into coral by another diver or by a current.

Ocean divers should consider a marine animal first aid kit for their travels. This will speed up the time to properly administer first aid for injuries. Additionally, for divers who want to learn more about the various marine life injuries, there are courses in marine life identification, first aid courses, and a variety of books and publications available.

Posted in Dive Safety FAQ

Types of corals: photo, description, classification

Colorful coral reefs attract the attention of divers and underwater photographers. Corals look like fantastic alien creatures. Many mistakenly consider them a variety of underwater flora. In fact, these are living organisms that play an important role in the ocean ecosystem.

There are more than 6000 varieties of them in the World Ocean. Below is a detailed classification and the most famous types of corals with photos, names and descriptions.

General description

Corals are considered to be sessile animals that, like plants, tend to take root in one place. Unlike other sea creatures (such as octopuses), they do not walk on the seabed and do not swim in the water.

Instead, they are permanently attached to one place, usually the seabed. But there are some varieties of coral that attach themselves to drifting elements and travel the ocean with them.

Coral classification

There are more than 6000 species of corals in the world . Therefore, it took a long time to classify them.

All corals belong to the Animal kingdom, type Cnidarians or cnidarians, and are exclusively aquatic. They are characterized by the presence of stinging cells, which serve for hunting and protection from predators.

Corals belong to the class Coral polyps. They can be both colonial and solitary benthic organisms. Many species of coral polyps have a limestone skeleton and are actively involved in reef formation.

Coral polyps are technically divided into 3 subclasses :

• Six-pointed corals (Hexacorallia) which include approximately 4300 species of marine organisms representing solitary or colonial polyps with six-ray symmetry. These include the order Madreporovye or scleractinia (Scleractinia), which includes all stony corals.
• Octocorallia which form colonies of miniature polyps. These include the order Alcyonaria (Alcyonacea), which includes all soft corals.
• Ceriantharia which is not actually a type of coral but includes sea anemones that do not have a skeletal type structure. Anemones are filled with fluid, while corals have an exoskeleton on each polyp.

Most coral reefs are found in tropical waters. In particular, they are widespread in the Caribbean, Oceania and East Africa. However, non-reef coral species are found in various parts of the world, including parts of the Mediterranean.

Six-spot or stony corals

Most members of this subclass have a calcite exoskeleton, giving them the appearance and strength of stone. The difference between hard and soft corals lies in their shape.

The body segments of stony corals are six-rayed. Soft corals have a simple, unbranched body structure with more than 8 tentacles.

There are 35 families in the stony coral subclass. But there are thousands of their varieties, many of which have not yet been studied. Due to the huge variety of hard corals, it is quite difficult to classify. The most famous of their varieties include:

• Agaricidae (Agariciidae) is a family of reef-building stony corals that consists of cactus, platy and lettuce corals.
• Astrocenids (Astrocoeniidae) are a family of stony corals distributed throughout all tropical and subtropical seas.
• Dendrophylliidae (Dendrophylliidae) – a family of hard corals, most of which independently obtain food with the help of tentacles.
• Caryophylliids (Caryophylliidae) are a family of stony corals found at various depths in tropical and temperate seas.
• Montastraeidae is a genus found in the Caribbean.
• Rhizangiidae is a family of hard, non-reef corals.
• Faviidae are a family of stony corals that look like the human brain, which is why they are called brain corals or brain corals.

Eight-pointed or soft corals

This subclass includes about 3000 different types of soft corals. They are characterized by 8-beam symmetry and the formation of colonies from miniature polyps. These include gorgonians, sea pens and blue corals.

Representatives of this subclass do not have a developed exoskeleton, like hard corals. But what makes them most recognizable is their long, unbranched tentacles.

The classification of soft corals also causes some difficulties for scientists. There are 6 suborders and more than 40 families of these corals, most of which remain unexplored. The best known varieties are:

• Nephtheidae or coral pinks, which impress with a wide range of rich and pastel colors and are very popular with aquarists.
• Isididae or bamboo corals, which include the most deep-sea species.
• Gorgonids (Gorgoniidae) – live exclusively near the eastern and western coasts of America.
• A precious coral that, unlike most soft corals, has a hard exoskeleton that is used in jewelry making.
• Plexauridae is a family of soft corals found in shallow waters in subtropical and tropical seas. Most of them live in symbiosis with zooxanthellae .
• Taiaroidae, a genus of deep-sea solitary octagonal corals, first described in 1976.
• Tubiporidae (Tubiporidae) or Organs are soft corals found in the waters of the Indian Ocean and also in some regions of the Pacific Ocean.

Types of corals with photos and descriptions

Elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata)

This type of coral is most common in the expanses of the Caribbean Sea. It grows up to 3.7 m long and up to 1.8 m high. These corals grow in large groups, forming real coral forests. They grow rapidly, on average growing by 5-10 cm per year.

Elkhorn corals are usually found in shallow waters. A recognizable appearance is given to them by a complex structure with many branches resembling elk horns. Therefore, this species is also known as staghorn coral.

Its extensive thickets form an ideal refuge for many coral reef animals. Since these corals are very large, even such a large creature as the Caribbean reef octopus is found among them.

This coral species is now considered endangered. Climate change, ocean pollution and white-stripe disease have wiped out almost 97% of the world population of these corals.

Trachyphyllia geoffroy or open brain coral (Trachyphyllia geoffroyi )

This type of coral is very common in home aquaria. It occurs naturally throughout the Indo-Pacific region, predominantly on sandy or muddy seabeds.

These corals can be found from the expanses of New Caledonia to the Red Sea. They are usually found at depths less than 40 m.

This species of coral impresses with its unusual figure-of-eight shape and many bright colors. As they mature, they acquire various fluorescent colors, which is why they are popular among aquarists.

In the wild, these corals are prone to bleaching and are endangered. But overfishing for the sake of sale for aquariums is the main threat to the population of this species.

Plerogyra bubble coral (Plerogyra sinuosa)

This type of coral is also very popular among aquarists. It is easily recognizable by its jelly-like shape and spectacular bubble pattern. These corals have bubble-like tentacles that can expand or contract depending on their diet.

This type of coral occurs naturally in the Indo-Pacific region from the Red Sea to the Line Islands. It is characterized by a symbiotic relationship with some dinoflagellates. Through the photosynthesis of these tiny creatures, bubble corals get most of their food.

In nature, this species is on the verge of extinction. The main threat to its population is climate change.

Staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis)

Like Elkhorn corals, this species is widely distributed in the Caribbean, but differs from them in a more tubular structure. It looks more like the antlers of an adult male deer than the antlers of an elk. Therefore, this species is also known as platycerium, “staghorn” or flathorn.

Cylindrical branches of Staghorn corals grow from a few centimeters to 2 meters or more. They form extensive thickets, which serve as an abode for many fish.

This species is found in shallow waters in the Caribbean and around the Bahamas and Florida. Over the past few decades, their population has declined significantly due to white stripe disease and continues to steadily decline.

Leaf coral (Pavona decussata)

This species of colonial stony coral of the family Agariciidae is found in shallow waters in tropical areas of the western and central Indo-Pacific region. A recognizable appearance to sheet corals is given by a leaf-shaped form, the thickness of which is only 3-10 mm.

Most representatives of this species are found at a depth of no more than 15 m, mainly on inclined surfaces. Little is known about their population. But the species is believed to be endangered due to bleaching.

Coral Vase or Leafy Cupped Montipora (Montipora capricornis)

This beautiful coral species is very popular with aquarists. It occurs naturally throughout the Indo-Pacific region, most commonly in the Red Sea. Usually these corals live in the upper part of the reef, where the water is warmer.

This species has a symbiotic relationship with zooxanthellae, unicellular dinoflagellates that carry out photosynthesis. Therefore, with sufficient light, coral vases can survive solely through the photosynthesis of zooxanthellae.

Venus Sea Fan or Gorgonia flabellum (Gorgonia flabellum)

This is one of the best known soft corals. It forms massive fan-shaped structures growing upward from the ocean floor.

Like other soft corals, this species does not form a hard shell of calcium carbonate. But at the same time, it is able to grow rectilinearly vertically even in a current. Its height can reach up to 2 m.

The sea fan of Venus is found throughout the Caribbean and occasionally near the Bahamas. It has several coral polyps on tentacles that are able to filter food in the form of plankton floating downstream. But most of the nutrition of these corals is provided by photosynthesis as a result of symbiosis with dinoflagellates.

Tubastraea or sun coral (Tubastraea)

This species represents a whole genus of various cup corals in the family Dendrophylliidae. It is found throughout the Caribbean, all the way to the Florida Keys.

These corals can usually be found in the depths close to shipwrecks. They do not depend on the photosynthesis of microorganisms, so they are easiest to keep in aquariums.

These corals are able to eat fairly large food (eg mysids). But since their polyps open only at night, they can only feed at night.

Lettuce coral (Agaricia agaricites)

This species is also known as green-yellow leaf coral. It is a species of colonial stony coral from the Agariciidae family. A recognizable look is given to it by an unusual shape resembling lettuce leaves.

Representatives of this species are widely distributed in shallow waters in the Atlantic and Caribbean. These corals are found throughout the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean, as well as near a number of atolls off the coast of Brazil. Usually they can be observed at a depth of up to 75 m among underwater meadows and forests of algae.

Lettuce coral is one of the few species that is very widespread. Their population is of least concern. But these corals are also susceptible to bleaching, especially when El Niño causes water temperatures to rise in their region.

Red organ or pipe organ coral (Tubipora musica)

This type of soft coral is found in the central and western Pacific Ocean, as well as in the waters of the Indian Ocean. Despite the classification, they are characterized by a hard skeleton of calcium carbonate, which is preserved after the death of the red organ.

Long polyps resembling organ pipes make these corals recognizable. Their skeleton is painted bright red, which attracts divers’ attention to them. But these beautiful corals are not suitable for keeping in aquariums because of the difficulties in caring for them.

Brain coral (Diploria labrynthiformis)

This species of massive reef-building stony coral bears an amazing resemblance to the human brain. Many deep grooves of gray color give a resemblance to the cerebral convolutions.

These corals are usually round in shape, up to 1.8 m in diameter. They grow in groups of several, making them look like one giant brain coral. Although this species is susceptible to discoloration and disease, its population has so far remained fairly stable.

Coral star (Monstastrea/Orbicella annularis)

This species is distributed in the western part of the Atlantic, especially in the Caribbean Sea. The coral star is one of the most common reef-forming corals within its range at depths of around 80 m. It is also one of the best-studied reef-building corals in the Caribbean.

Coral stars form small boulder-shaped structures with dozens of individual polyps. They are often found in colonies resembling piles of green or yellowish stones. Due to climate change, the species is on the verge of extinction.

Large star coral (Montastraea cavernosa)

This type of colonial stony coral also forms large boulder-shaped colonies. Symbiosis with zooxanthellae provides him with the bulk of his food.

Most of these corals form massive green, red or brown domes. At the same time, those polyps that feed day and night are usually painted brown. Those species that feed exclusively at night have a brighter color.

This species is found mainly near Trinidad and Tobago. But it can also be found in the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico. Sometimes these corals are observed along the coast of West Africa.

Hump/finger coral (Porites porites)

This is the smallest species on this list of corals. Its small petals look like thick fingers, the width of which is not more than 2.5 cm. They are painted white or bluish-gray.

This coral species is found in the Caribbean, the western Atlantic, and parts of West Africa. The coral finger is one of the few species not threatened with extinction. It is likely that this species can live for several centuries.

Coral hood (Stylophora pistillata)

This species is found at various depths in the Indo-Pacific region. In shape, it resembles a cauliflower head with colorful rounded branches.

These corals are unique in that they are constantly on the move. They attach themselves to floating objects (such as shipwrecks) and drift along the ocean with them.

Round Star Coral (Siderastrea siderea)

Massive star corals are large domed structures composed of dozens of smaller individual corals. Often they have a pitted surface, which makes them look like a large golf ball.

These corals are found at depths of up to 70 m in the western Atlantic, mainly near Bermuda and the Bahamas, as well as in other areas of the Caribbean. They thrive best in areas with a high silt content (such as tide pools).

Honeycomb coral (Diploastrea heliopora)

This species forms beautiful honeycomb-like colonies. It is widely distributed throughout the Indo-Pacific region. Most often these corals are found in the Red Sea at a depth of up to 30 cm. They form large colonies up to 5 m wide.

Sometimes these corals are dome-shaped. But most often they look like huge spherical boulders. Due to climate change and water pollution, this species is on the verge of extinction.

Montipora finger or coral finger (Montipora digitata)

This stony coral species is found in shallow waters predominantly in East Africa, most often near Mozambique. It forms small bushy structures with large finger-like branches.

Unlike other varieties, it is the least susceptible to discoloration. But climate change also poses a threat to it. In general, the size of its population is not yet a cause for concern.

Mushroom coral (Fungia fungites)

This is one of the best known types of stony corals. It is found on the quiet coral reefs of Hawaii with relatively little activity.

This species does not form colonies like other corals in the Hawaiian Islands. It is attached to the reef only at the beginning of its life. As they grow, these corals detach from the reef and live separately on the sea floor.

Mushroom coral is a relatively small animal. It forms small oval shapes, very similar to ordinary mushrooms, which led to its specific name.

Noble, precious or red coral ( Corallium)

This type of coral is most popular among jewelry makers. A recognizable appearance is given to it by a strong, bright red or pink-orange skeleton. It is because of this that it is widely used in jewelry making.

There are about 31 varieties of precious corals. Most of them live on the rocky seabed.

Most often they are found in the Mediterranean. The waters of the Strait of Gibraltar and the surroundings of Sardinia are the main places where red corals live. But they can also be found near Japan and Taiwan.

After the death of these corals, a hard skeleton of calcium carbonate remains. Its bright coloration along with its durability has made it a popular material for making jewelry.

Dendronephthya or coral carnation (Dendronephthya)

This genus of soft corals has more than 250 varieties. They are characterized by a bizarre tree structure, which is why they are often used in aquariums.

But unlike other corals, the coral stud feeds exclusively on phytoplankton. Therefore, it needs a constant source of food to survive, which is difficult to provide in an aquarium.

Coral studs come in all shapes and colors. They are mainly found in the tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific region, mainly in the Red Sea.

Colorful sea whip (Leptogorgia virgulata)

This type of soft coral is found along the west coast of the Atlantic. It can be found both in the north (in the Chesapeake Bay) and in the south (in Brazil).